Atonement: Made for Houses
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In the biblical context, atonement is a multifaceted concept primarily associated with the reconciliation between God and humanity. However, the notion of atonement extends beyond individuals to include physical spaces, such as houses. This entry explores the scriptural basis and theological implications of atonement made for houses, as found in the Old Testament.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of atonement for houses is primarily rooted in the Levitical laws, which outline various rituals and sacrifices necessary for maintaining purity and holiness among the Israelites. Leviticus 14 provides specific instructions for the cleansing of a house afflicted by mildew or mold, which is considered a defilement.

Leviticus 14:33-53 details the process: "The LORD also said to Moses and Aaron, 'When you enter the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as a possession, and I put a mildew in a house in that land, the owner of the house must go and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’ The priest is to order the house to be emptied before he goes in to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house will be pronounced unclean. After this, the priest shall go in and inspect the house.'" (Leviticus 14:33-36).

If the mildew is found to be spreading, the house is to be scraped and the contaminated stones removed. If the mildew reappears, the house is to be torn down. However, if the mildew does not spread, the priest performs a ritual of atonement involving two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. One bird is killed over fresh water in a clay pot, and the living bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, is dipped into the blood of the slain bird and the fresh water. The house is then sprinkled seven times, and the living bird is released into the open fields, symbolizing the removal of impurity.

Theological Implications

The requirement for atonement for houses underscores the pervasive nature of sin and impurity in the fallen world. It reflects the biblical principle that holiness is not limited to personal piety but extends to the environment in which God's people dwell. The ritual signifies the need for divine intervention to cleanse and sanctify spaces, ensuring that they are fit for habitation by a holy people.

Moreover, the atonement for houses serves as a tangible reminder of God's concern for the entirety of His creation. It illustrates the comprehensive scope of redemption, which includes not only individuals but also the physical world. This holistic view of atonement anticipates the ultimate restoration of all things through Christ, who reconciles all creation to Himself (Colossians 1:20).

Symbolism and Typology

The elements used in the atonement ritual for houses carry rich symbolic meaning. The cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop are also used in other purification rites, such as the cleansing of lepers (Leviticus 14:4-7) and the preparation of the red heifer (Numbers 19:6). These elements point to the sacrificial system's foreshadowing of Christ's atoning work. The release of the living bird symbolizes the freedom and new life granted through atonement, prefiguring the liberation from sin achieved through Jesus' sacrifice.

In summary, the atonement made for houses in the Old Testament reflects the broader biblical theme of God's desire to dwell among a holy people in a sanctified space. It highlights the necessity of divine cleansing and the anticipation of a restored creation, ultimately fulfilled in the redemptive work of Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
Leviticus 14:53
But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Day of Atonement
... When the priest had made the atonement, it was usual for ... it) and they being thankful
that the atonement was accepted ... Beloved, let us go into our houses with joy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

The Old, Old Story
... other hand, into a parish where the atonement is preached ... if you do not find the
ale-houses getting empty ... showed the power of Jesus' name, and made us witnesses ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the old old story.htm

Index of First Lines.
... heavenly King, 298 Christ has for sin atonement made, 199 Christ ... not for riches,
247 Lord, I have made thy word ... thee, 307 My Father is rich in houses and lands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/index of first lines.htm

The Two Houses
... mysteries of the Incarnation and the Atonement, may still ... a word, in the next place,
about the two houses. ... flimsy habitation of Eastern people, made of bamboos ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the two houses.htm

The Truth in Jesus.
... you but build your houses on the sand. ... you would hold him to his word, bind him by
his promises, appeal to the atonement, to the satisfaction made to his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the truth in jesus.htm

The Fruits of Grace
... certainly man"there can be no limit set to the value of the atonement which he made.
Oh! ... I am sure I know houses now that have an altar to God in them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fruits of grace.htm

Jesus' Farewell to his Friends.
... He had no houses or lands, no gold or silver. ... His name would have power to open heaven's
treasures only when the atonement had been made, and the ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xiii jesus farewell to.htm

Leviticus
... of the narrative of the Exodus is made plain by ... Laws concerning houses afflicted
with leprosy, xiv.33-57. ... law for the great day of atonement, with regulations ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Carthago Veneris
... Carthage made a very strong impression on him ... year he would be in his country houses
round about ... Such was the atonement for those enormous fortunes of antiquity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i carthago veneris.htm

Gethsemane
... the agony." Occupied with the Passover feast at their own houses, they represent ...
who get to such refinement that they think the atonement was made on the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/gethsemane.htm

Resources
What is the recapitulation theory of the atonement? | GotQuestions.org

What is the substitutionary atonement? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)? | GotQuestions.org

Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Atonement

Atonement by Incense

Atonement by Jewels

Atonement by Meat offerings

Atonement by Money

Atonement for Tabernacle and Furniture

Atonement for Those Defiled by the Dead

Atonement in Consummation of the Levites

Atonement: Day of How Observed

Atonement: Day of Time of

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices

Atonement: Made by Jesus with Context

Atonement: Made by Jesus: A Mystery

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Divinely Ordained

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Made But Once

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Redemption By

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified

Atonement: Made for Houses

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Atonement was Voluntary

The Atonement: Acceptable to God

The Atonement: Access to God By

The Atonement: Commemorated in the Lord's Supper

The Atonement: Effected by Christ Alone

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Grace and Mercy of God

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of Christ

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of God

The Atonement: Explained

The Atonement: Faith In, Indispensable

The Atonement: Foreordained

The Atonement: Foretold

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of Sin

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the Devil

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the World

The Atonement: Justification By

The Atonement: Made But Once

The Atonement: Ministers should Fully Set Forth

The Atonement: Necessity For

The Atonement: Reconciles the Justice and Mercy of God

The Atonement: Reconciliation to God Effected By

The Atonement: Redemption By

The Atonement: Remission of Sins By

The Atonement: Saints Glorify God For

The Atonement: Saints Praise God For

The Atonement: Saints Rejoice in God For

The Atonement: Sanctification By

The Atonement: Typified

the Day of Atonement: A Day of Humiliation

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the High Priest

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Holy Place

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Whole Congregation

the Day of Atonement: Observed As a Sabbath

the Day of Atonement: Offerings to be Made On

the Day of Atonement: Punishment for not Observing

the Day of Atonement: Tenth Day of Seventh Month

the Day of Atonement: The High Priest Entered Into the Holy Place On

the Day of Atonement: The Sins of the People Borne off by the Scapegoat On

the Day of Atonement: Typical

the Day of Atonement: Year of Jubilee Commenced On

Under the Law Atonement by Priests Alone

Under the Law Atonement: Extraordinary Cases of

Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Propitiating God

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Purifying

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Ransoming

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Ignorantly

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Wilfully

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Swearing Rashly

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Unclean

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Withholding Evidence

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Altar

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Congregation

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Healed Leper

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Holy Place

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Leprous House Healed

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Priests

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Women After Childbirth

Under the Law Atonement: Typical of Christ's Atonement

Related Terms

Atonement-money (1 Occurrence)

Expiation (9 Occurrences)

Atonements (6 Occurrences)

Atone (8 Occurrences)

Forgiven (61 Occurrences)

Mercyseat (1 Occurrence)

Mercy-seat (23 Occurrences)

Propitiation (4 Occurrences)

Ransom (46 Occurrences)

Trespass-offering (34 Occurrences)

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)

Inadvertence (13 Occurrences)

Unintentionally (20 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Bullock (95 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Festivals (17 Occurrences)

Sinned (156 Occurrences)

Atoned (8 Occurrences)

Azazel (3 Occurrences)

Fasts (3 Occurrences)

Bull (114 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Purification (25 Occurrences)

Trespass (101 Occurrences)

Unwittingly (17 Occurrences)

Inadvertently (6 Occurrences)

Remainder (33 Occurrences)

Errs (4 Occurrences)

Erred (14 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Atoning (5 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Annual (6 Occurrences)

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

Scapegoat (3 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Souls (114 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Restitution (21 Occurrences)

Ignorance (27 Occurrences)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Remnant (157 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Flux (26 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Committed (201 Occurrences)

Behalf (140 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Mediation

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)

Ram (96 Occurrences)

He-goat (23 Occurrences)

Mediator (7 Occurrences)

Feasts (45 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Tenth (89 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Generations (148 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)

Whereby (46 Occurrences)

Ignorantly (8 Occurrences)

Recompensed (20 Occurrences)

Erring (13 Occurrences)

Erreth (5 Occurrences)

Devote (36 Occurrences)

Makest (68 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Purified (44 Occurrences)

Buck (23 Occurrences)

Convocation (19 Occurrences)

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified
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