the Day of Atonement: Punishment for not Observing
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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 23:29,30
For 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.
... of rams and bullocks, make a true atonement for the ... miracle which was performed on
the day of Pentecost. ... and the dreadful nature of the punishment which awaits ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ii the day of.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. ... her own ends, especially
for the punishment of "heresy ... and its observance on the first day of the ...
/.../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. ... her own ends, especially for
the punishment of "heresy ... of the week.""AE Waffle, The Lord's Day, pages 186 ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... without a greater and more excellent atonement than the ... and the consequent dread
of punishment, to curb ... not ceased, it would, in the present day, be impossible ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Acts XIII
... in the same condition at the day of his ... offerings, "The priest shall make an atonement
for him ... the reprobate, who were predestinated to everlasting punishment. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Baptists.
... by his personal obedience, and made atonement for our ... is approaching; that, at the
last day, Christ will ... wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/baptists.htm

A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... going to insist upon any theory of an atonement, but I ... lie there before the Throne
of God, and cry for punishment. ... you and me there will be said one day, in a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a threefold thought of sin.htm

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. AD 1833.
... and by his death made a full atonement for our ... is approaching; [2153] that at the
last day Christ will ... wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the ...
/.../the new hampshire baptist confession.htm

The Son and the Angels.
... Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten ... of God did not deserve sorer punishment
than despising ... this verse the great conception of atonement, which hereafter ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ii the son and.htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... day as my teacher and governor, my atonement and intercessor ... with the solemnities
of the judgment-day before you ... in this, thereby "accepting the punishment of my ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.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

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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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Visiting (10 Occurrences)

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Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

the Day of Atonement: Offerings to be Made On
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