In the context of the Old Testament, the concept of atonement is deeply intertwined with the idea of purification. The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, established a comprehensive system of sacrifices and rituals designed to maintain the holiness of the people and their relationship with God. Atonement, in this framework, was essential for purifying individuals and the community from sin and impurity.

Biblical Foundation

The necessity of atonement for purification is rooted in the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. Leviticus, the central book of the Torah concerning laws and rituals, provides detailed instructions on how atonement is to be achieved. Leviticus 16:30 states, "For on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD." This verse highlights the dual purpose of atonement: to cleanse and to restore the people to a state of purity before God.

The Role of Sacrifices

Sacrifices were the primary means by which atonement was made under the Law. The blood of sacrificial animals played a crucial role in the purification process. Leviticus 17:11 explains, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." The shedding of blood symbolized the transfer of sin and impurity from the sinner to the sacrificial victim, thus purifying the individual or community.

The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the pinnacle of the atonement rituals. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the entire nation. Leviticus 16 outlines the elaborate procedures, including the sacrifice of a bull and a goat, and the release of a scapegoat into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin. This annual observance was crucial for the purification of the people and the sanctuary, ensuring that God's presence could dwell among them.

Purification from Ritual Impurity

Beyond moral transgressions, atonement was also necessary for purification from ritual impurities. These included conditions such as leprosy, childbirth, and contact with the dead, which rendered individuals ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 14:19-20 describes the process for a leper's purification: "Then the priest is to offer the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, to make atonement for him, and he will be clean."

Symbolism and Foreshadowing

The atonement rituals under the Law served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ. The New Testament book of Hebrews elaborates on this connection, emphasizing that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were a shadow of the good things to come (Hebrews 10:1). The purification achieved through the blood of animals pointed to the perfect and final purification through the blood of Christ, who offered Himself as a once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14).

In summary, under the Mosaic Law, atonement was indispensable for the purification of both moral and ritual impurities. The sacrificial system established by God provided a means for His people to be cleansed and to maintain a holy relationship with Him, setting the stage for the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ.Exodus 29:36
And you shall offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you have made an atonement for it, and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Atonement.
... as a covenant of works, did not constitute the atonement. (1.) Christ owed obedience
to the moral law, both as ... He was under as much obligation to be perfectly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Law Established through Faith
... was no place for faith in that atonement; man being ... us thus endeavour to establish
the law in ourselves; not sinning "because we are under grace," but ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 36 the law established.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... evening, the paschal lamb, the Day of Atonement, the offerings ... "Almost all things
are, by the law, purged with ... an oblation for sin was offered up under the old ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

The New Covenant.
... God was as necessary to constitute the atonement as the ... Hades to satisfy what they
call the law of death. ... Christ differs from the high-priests under the former ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... Then the atonement of Christ would become fair and ... the redemption of the trangression
that were under the first ... to all the people according to the law, he took ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

The Rent Veil
... Assuredly no law forbids thee; but infinite love invites thee ... Under no aspect is
God now distasteful to its ... Let the doctrine of atonement never grow stale, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

Justification.
... the fact beyond question, that the vicarious atonement of Christ ... does not thereafter
bring the soul under the condemning sentence of the law of God. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... There is a difference between the justification under the law and the ... 6. Sanctification
is through the atonement of Christ. ... "Wherefore the law is holy, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... a far more adequate view of the atonement than that ... not to permit this to be trampled
under foot with ... God had exhausted the fearful penalty of the law upon poor ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

Sanctification.
... to saints in Christ, through the atonement and indwelling ... In proportion as the
law-work preceding conversion ... or perseverance in holiness under temptation"that ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxix sanctification.htm

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

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus