Dictionary of Bible Themes The OT laid down complex regulations by which the guilt of sin could be removed through the sacrificial system. Particular emphasis was placed upon the role of the high priest, who was required to make annual atonement for the sins of the people. Exodus 24:3The covenantal framework of atonement See also As God's covenant partners, the Israelites undertook to keep his laws Deuteronomy 26:17Joshua 24:24 Leviticus 9:7 See also The sin offering made atonement for unintentional sins under the covenant Leviticus 4:13-14Numbers 15:22-26 Leviticus 19:20-22 See also The guilt offering atoned for sins where reparation was required Leviticus 6:1-7Numbers 15:30-31 See also Deliberate flouting of God's law could not be atoned for Numbers 35:331 Samuel 3:14 Leviticus 16:34 See also The Day of Atonement provided for the removal of the nation's sin Exodus 30:10Leviticus 16:1-33 Hebrews 9:7 The nation's sin was atoned for by sprinkling the atonement cover in the Most Holy Place with the blood of the sacrificial goat; the removal of the people's sin was symbolised by the driving of the scapegoat into the wilderness Exodus 25:17-22The atonement cover See also Exodus 30:6The locating of God's presence above the atonement cover in the tabernacle demonstrated that it was only on the basis of atonement that God could accompany his people. Leviticus 16:2Numbers 7:89 Leviticus 17:11 Atonement was effected by the blood of the sacrifice See also Hebrews 9:22The blood signified that the life of the animal had been given in place of that of the worshipper. Exodus 29:44The role of priests in making atonement See also Priests were dedicated to God in order to make atonement for others Leviticus 8:22-30Hebrews 5:1-3 See also The priests had to make atonement for their own sins Leviticus 9:8-11Hebrews 5:1 See also The priests represented the people before God to atone for their sin Exodus 28:36-38Leviticus 10:16-17 Leviticus 12:7-8; 14:18-22,53; 15:15 The people had constant reminders of the need for atonement Rituals of cleansing included an atoning offering Numbers 28:22,30; 29:5,11Atonement was a feature of Israel's festivals Hosea 4:7-8Abuses of the system of atonement See also The sinful conduct of the priests who made atonement 1 Samuel 2:12-17Jeremiah 6:13-14 Ezekiel 22:26 Malachi 1:6-8 Hosea 8:11-13 See also The sinful conduct of the people who sought atonement without repenting of their sins Isaiah 1:10-17; 66:3Jeremiah 7:21-24 Amos 4:4 Proverbs 16:6 See also The need for repentance for a relationship of atonement 1 Samuel 15:22Psalms 51:16-17 Micah 6:6-8 Isaiah 53:4-12 The prophets foretold a renewing of God's relationship with Israel, involving atonement for sin Isaiah's message about the obedient servant Jeremiah 31:31-34Jeremiah's prophecy of a new covenant Ezekiel 43:18-27See also Ezekiel's vision of a new temple 1345 covenant6172 guilt 6648 expiation 6712 propitiation 7308 Atonement, Day of 7376 high priest 7412 priesthood 7435 sacrifice, in OT 7440 scapegoat 7444 sin offering 7454 sprinkling 8622 worship |
    |