Topical Bible: Atonement by Money

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Context:
Atonement by money refers to the biblical concept where financial payment or offering is used as a means to make amends for certain transgressions or to fulfill specific religious obligations. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament and is primarily associated with the sacrificial system and various laws given to the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 30:11-16 · The concept of atonement money is explicitly mentioned in the instructions for the census tax. Each Israelite male, twenty years and older, was required to give a half-shekel as a ransom for his life to avoid a plague during the census. This offering was to be used for the service of the Tent of Meeting. The passage states: "Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD" (Exodus 30:13).

2. Leviticus 5:14-16 · In cases of unintentional sins regarding the holy things of the LORD, a guilt offering was required. The individual was to bring a ram without defect and make restitution for the wrong, adding a fifth of the value to it, and give it to the priest. The priest would then make atonement with the ram as a guilt offering, and the individual would be forgiven.

3. Numbers 31:48-54 · After the battle against the Midianites, the officers of the army brought an offering to the LORD as atonement for themselves. This included gold articles such as armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces. Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gold from them, which was used for the service of the Tent of Meeting.

Theological Significance:

Atonement by money in the Old Testament underscores the principle that sin incurs a debt that must be paid. The use of money or valuable items as a form of atonement highlights the tangible cost of sin and the need for restitution. It also reflects the communal aspect of atonement, as these offerings were often used for the maintenance and service of the Tabernacle or Temple, thereby supporting the worship and religious life of the community.

Typology and Fulfillment:

While atonement by money served a specific purpose under the Mosaic Law, it is seen as a shadow of the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. The New Testament teaches that Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is the fulfillment of all Old Testament sacrifices and offerings, including monetary atonement. As stated in 1 Peter 1:18-19 , "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Practical Implications:

In contemporary Christian practice, the concept of atonement by money is not directly applicable, as the sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ. However, the principles of restitution, generosity, and supporting the work of the church remain relevant. Christians are encouraged to give generously and cheerfully, recognizing that their offerings support the ministry and mission of the church, reflecting gratitude for the atonement accomplished by Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 30:12-16
When you take the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the LORD, when you number them; that there be no plague among them, when you number them.
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Leviticus 5:15,16
If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass to the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with your estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
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2 Kings 12:16
The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'.
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Greek

3083. lutron -- a ransom
... Cognate: 3083 (a neuter noun) -- literally, the ransom-money (price) to free ... something
to loosen with, ie A redemption price (figuratively, atonement) -- ransom ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3083.htm - 7k

Library

Extent of Atonement.
... That the atonement is sufficient for all men, and, in that sense, general, as opposed ...
that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... The extent of Atonement is frequently represented, as if a calculation had been
made ... But while he loved his money better than he loved Christ, and preferred ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ...
... in Capernaum itself, immediately after the scene connected with the Tribute-money. ...
for thirteen successive years, and that on the Day of Atonement - the reason ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the last events.htm

Christ as Paraclete, as Propitiation, and as the Power of God.
... But how could He ever be the Paraclete, and the atonement, and the propitiation ... great,"
was consigned to perdition and destruction, he and his money with him. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/38 christ as paraclete as.htm

Sundry Exhortations.
... It is still the same. The self-righteous do not hate money. ... Both are inconsistent
with the perfect separateness of Christ's atonement. It is well, as St. ...
/.../chapter xvi sundry exhortations.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... In the center was the Holy of Holies, only entered by the High Priest once a year,
at the feast of the atonement; next without ... And the changers of money sitting ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the cleansing of the temple.htm

The Wordless Book
... You spent your money for that which was not bread, and your labour for that which
did not ... Try to understand, dear friends, the greatness of the atonement. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 57 1911/the wordless book.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... in open profanation of the Name of God, only death can make final atonement. ... of the
wine and fruit grown; partly paid in kind, and partly commuted into money. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
... whole point of the story depends upon the fact that this tribute-money was not ... this
tax was levied with a double meaning; first, it was an atonement or ransom ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coin in the fishs.htm

Good Friday
... And so with all the texts which speak of Christ's death and passion, and that atonement
for sin which he, in his ... By giving up thy business, money, time? ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon v good friday.htm