the Day of Atonement: Observed As a Sabbath
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most solemn and significant holy days in the Jewish calendar. It is observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, and is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance. The observance of this day as a Sabbath is a critical aspect of its observance, emphasizing rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

Biblical Foundation

The Day of Atonement is instituted in the Torah, specifically in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23:26-32 provides explicit instructions regarding the observance of this day: "The LORD also said to Moses, 'The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You are to hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On this day you shall not do any work, for it is a Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.'"

The command to cease from work and treat the day as a Sabbath is reiterated in Leviticus 16:29-31: "This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute."

Sabbath Observance

The observance of the Day of Atonement as a Sabbath underscores its importance as a day of complete rest and cessation from all labor. This rest is not merely physical but is intended to facilitate spiritual introspection and repentance. The Sabbath rest on this day is a time for individuals to humble themselves, often through fasting and prayer, as they seek reconciliation with God.

The concept of Sabbath rest on the Day of Atonement is distinct from the weekly Sabbath. While the weekly Sabbath is a celebration of creation and a reminder of God's provision, the Sabbath rest on Yom Kippur is a time of solemn reflection on sin and the need for atonement. It is a day set apart for the community to come together in a sacred assembly, acknowledging their collective need for God's mercy and forgiveness.

Theological Significance

The Day of Atonement, observed as a Sabbath, holds deep theological significance. It is a day when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people, symbolizing the need for a mediator between God and humanity. This act foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, serves as the perfect High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

Hebrews 9:11-12 reflects on this fulfillment: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Contemporary Observance

In contemporary Jewish practice, the Day of Atonement remains a day of fasting, prayer, and synagogue attendance. The Sabbath rest is observed with great reverence, as individuals and communities seek to align their hearts with God's will. For Christians, the Day of Atonement serves as a reminder of the sacrificial work of Christ and the call to live lives marked by repentance and faith.

The observance of the Day of Atonement as a Sabbath continues to be a powerful expression of faith, highlighting the need for rest, reflection, and reconciliation with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 23:28,32
And you shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ...
... Sadducees held, that on the Day of Atonement the high ... congregation," who spent a
third of the day in prayer ... However strictly they observed the Sabbath, it was in ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 15 relation of the.htm

Leviticus
... 1-4) prescribing regulations to be observed by the high priest on every occasion ...
that the section dealing with new year's day and the day of atonement, vv.23 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... there to perform the closing work of the atonement. ... Sunday means, and now is, the
day of the ... But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... there to perform the closing work of the atonement. ... Sunday means, and now is, the
day of the ... But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

Confession of the Free-Will Baptists. AD 1834, 1868.
... Though Christ's atonement is the foundation of the sinner's ... Under the gospel, the
first day of the week, in ... by authority of the apostles, is observed as the ...
/.../confession of the free-will baptists.htm

Separation to God.
... Having seen the character of the vow of the Nazarite, and of the ordinances to be
observed should the vow be ... On the great Day of Atonement Israel's sin was ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... This law is still observed in the Abyssinian Church. ... The Day of Atonement
on the tenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... the Name of God, only death can make final atonement. ... All unobserved by others, he
observed all, and could yield ... That was a gain that day, not of Matthew alone ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

The Worship of the Synagogue
... Of the attitude to be observed in prayer, this is perhaps scarcely the place ... section
from the prophets was also read"five; and on the day of atonement, six ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 17 the worship of.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... of the Jews, they could not be observed; but when ... before the feast was the Day of
Atonement, when, after ... echoing over hill and valley, welcomed the festal day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

Resources
What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.org

Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | 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

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