Topical Encyclopedia The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most significant and solemn holy days in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri, and is detailed primarily in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32. This day is characterized by fasting, prayer, and repentance, serving as a time for the Israelites to seek atonement for their sins and to be reconciled with God.Biblical Foundation The Day of Atonement is instituted by God as a day of national cleansing and forgiveness. Leviticus 16 provides a comprehensive description of the rituals and sacrifices that the high priest was to perform. The chapter begins with instructions given to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons, emphasizing the holiness and seriousness of approaching God (Leviticus 16:1-2). The high priest, Aaron, was to enter the Most Holy Place once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). The ritual involved several key elements: 1. Sacrifices and Offerings: Aaron was to bring a bull for a sin offering for himself and his household and two goats for the people. One goat was to be sacrificed as a sin offering, and the other, known as the scapegoat, was to be released into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:6-10). 2. The Scapegoat: The high priest would lay his hands on the head of the live goat, confessing over it all the iniquities of the Israelites, and then send it away into the wilderness. This act symbolized the removal of sin from the community (Leviticus 16:21-22). 3. Entering the Holy of Holies: Aaron was to enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of the bull and the goat, sprinkling it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat to make atonement for the sanctuary, the tent of meeting, and the altar (Leviticus 16:15-19). 4. Fasting and Rest: The Israelites were commanded to afflict their souls and do no work on this day, emphasizing its solemnity and the need for spiritual reflection and repentance (Leviticus 23:27-32). Theological Significance The Day of Atonement holds profound theological significance as it foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ. The high priest's entry into the Holy of Holies prefigures Christ's ascension into heaven, where He entered the true Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). The blood of bulls and goats, which could not take away sins, points to the necessity of Christ's perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4). The scapegoat, bearing the sins of the people and being sent away, symbolizes the complete removal of sin through Christ's atoning work. As the Apostle Paul writes, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Observance and Legacy While the Day of Atonement was a central aspect of the Old Covenant, its practices and symbolism continue to hold meaning for Christians. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin, the need for repentance, and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. The themes of atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God remain central to Christian theology and worship. In contemporary Jewish practice, Yom Kippur remains a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, emphasizing themes of repentance and renewal. For Christians, it is a time to reflect on the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest and perfect sacrifice. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 9:8,24The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ... The Day of Atonement What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? The Investigative Judgment. Facing Life's Record Entire Sanctification in Type. Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times. In the Holy of Holies. In the Holy of Holies Resources What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.orgLimited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | 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) |
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