Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6600 Aspects of salvation  »  6614 atonement  »  6616 atonement, in OT

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.

The covenantal framework of atonement

As God's covenant partners, the Israelites undertook to keep his laws

Exodus 24:3 See also Deuteronomy 26:17; Joshua 24:24

The sin offering made atonement for unintentional sins under the covenant

Leviticus 9:7 See also Leviticus 4:13-14; Numbers 15:22-26

The guilt offering atoned for sins where reparation was required

Leviticus 19:20-22 See also Leviticus 6:1-7

Deliberate flouting of God's law could not be atoned for

Numbers 15:30-31 See also Numbers 35:33; 1 Samuel 3:14

The Day of Atonement provided for the removal of the nation's sin

Leviticus 16:34 See also Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:1-33 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; Hebrews 9:7

The atonement cover

Exodus 25:17-22 The 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. See also Exodus 30:6; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89

Atonement was effected by the blood of the sacrifice

Leviticus 17:11 The blood signified that the life of the animal had been given in place of that of the worshipper. See also Hebrews 9:22

The role of priests in making atonement

Priests were dedicated to God in order to make atonement for others

Exodus 29:44 See also Leviticus 8:22-30

The priests had to make atonement for their own sins

Hebrews 5:1-3 See also Leviticus 9:8-11

The priests represented the people before God to atone for their sin

Hebrews 5:1 See also Exodus 28:36-38; Leviticus 10:16-17

The people had constant reminders of the need for atonement

Rituals of cleansing included an atoning offering

Leviticus 12:7-8; Leviticus 14:18-22,53; Leviticus 15:15

Atonement was a feature of Israel's festivals

Numbers 28:22,30; Numbers 29:5,11

Abuses of the system of atonement

The sinful conduct of the priests who made atonement

Hosea 4:7-8 See also 1 Samuel 2:12-17; Jeremiah 6:13-14; Ezekiel 22:26; Malachi 1:6-8

The sinful conduct of the people who sought atonement without repenting of their sins

Hosea 8:11-13 See also Isaiah 1:10-17; Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 7:21-24; Amos 4:4

The need for repentance for a relationship of atonement

Proverbs 16:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16-17; Micah 6:6-8

The prophets foretold a renewing of God's relationship with Israel, involving atonement for sin

Isaiah's message about the obedient servant

Isaiah 53:4-12

Jeremiah's prophecy of a new covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Ezekiel's vision of a new temple

Ezekiel 43:18-27

See also

1345  covenant
6172  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