Topical Encyclopedia The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, is one of the most solemn and significant holy days in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance, where the Israelites were commanded to afflict their souls and present offerings to the LORD. The observance of this day is detailed in Leviticus 16 and 23, and its significance is underscored by the severe consequences prescribed for failing to observe it.Biblical Mandate and Observance The Day of Atonement is instituted in Leviticus 16, where God provides Moses with specific instructions for Aaron, the high priest, to make atonement for himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel. This involved a series of sacrifices, including the famous scapegoat ritual, where one goat was sacrificed and another was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people. Leviticus 23:26-32 further emphasizes the importance of this day, stating, "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" . Punishment for Non-Observance The consequences for failing to observe the Day of Atonement are explicitly stated in the Scriptures. Leviticus 23:29-30 warns, "If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people. I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on this day" . This severe punishment underscores the gravity of the day and the necessity of obedience to God's commands. The phrase "cut off from his people" is often interpreted as a form of excommunication or divine judgment, indicating that the individual would be separated from the covenant community and its blessings. This could imply a range of consequences, from social ostracism to divine retribution, potentially even death, as suggested by the phrase "I will destroy." Theological Significance The Day of Atonement serves as a profound reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. The requirement for the Israelites to humble themselves and abstain from work highlights the need for repentance and reliance on God's provision for atonement. The severe penalties for non-observance reflect the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience is not merely ritualistic but a matter of life and death. In the broader biblical narrative, the Day of Atonement foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfills the sacrificial system and provides eternal redemption for humanity. However, within the context of the Old Testament, the immediate and tangible consequences for neglecting this holy day serve as a stark warning of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 23:29,30For whatever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Day of Pentecost. God's Law Immutable. God's Law Immutable The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ... Acts XIII Baptists. A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. AD 1833. The Son and the Angels. Letter xx. Self-Examination. Resources What is the recapitulation theory of the atonement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the substitutionary atonement? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)? | GotQuestions.org Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Atonement for Tabernacle and Furniture Atonement for Those Defiled by the Dead Atonement in Consummation of the Levites Atonement: Day of How Observed 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: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To 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: Faith In, Indispensable 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: Ministers should Fully Set Forth The Atonement: Reconciles the Justice and Mercy of God The Atonement: Reconciliation to God Effected 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 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: 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |