Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7308 Atonement, Day of

7308 Atonement, Day of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7308 Atonement, Day of

The most holy day of Israel's year (the tenth day of the seventh month) on which the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation. Hebrews sees this day as symbolic of the achievements of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The priestly rituals on the Day of Atonement

The priest's own preparations

See also Leviticus 16:4,6,11-14

The preparation of two male goats

Leviticus 16:7-10

The sacrifice atones for the people's sins:

Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:15-19

The scapegoat symbolically carries away the people's sins:

Leviticus 16:10,20-22

Concluding procedures

Leviticus 16:23-28

Additional offerings on the Day of Atonement

Numbers 29:8-11

Features unique to the Day of Atonement

The priest entered the Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:7 See also Leviticus 16:2

Sacrifice was made for all the sins of all the people

Leviticus 16:30 See also Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:16-17,21-22,34

It was a festival requiring humility and fasting

Numbers 29:7 This provides a contrast to all other religious festivals which were times of joyous celebration and feasting. “deny yourselves” includes the idea of fasting. See also Leviticus 16:29,31; Leviticus 23:27-32; Acts 27:9

The Day of Atonement is paralleled and contrasted with the achievements of Jesus Christ in his death

Jesus Christ entered the Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:24 See also Hebrews 6:19-20; Hebrews 9:11-12

Jesus Christ's blood was offered in sacrifice

Hebrews 9:12 See also Romans 3:25

Jesus Christ's sacrifice was outside the city gates

Hebrews 13:11-12

Jesus Christ's sacrifice was once for all

Hebrews 9:25-26 See also Hebrews 10:12

Jesus Christ's sacrifice gives inner rather than ritual cleansing

Hebrews 9:13-14 See also Hebrews 9:9-10

Jesus Christ's sacrifice gives access to God

Hebrews 10:19-20 On the Day of Atonement no-one else was allowed to be in the Tent of Meeting, let alone in the Most Holy Place. Access into the intimate presence of God is now the right of all believers. See also Leviticus 16:17; Matthew 27:51; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12