Topical Encyclopedia The concept of atonement in the Old Testament, particularly as it is expressed through the sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement, serves as a profound type of Christ and His redemptive work. The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, is detailed in Leviticus 16 and is the most solemn and significant of the Jewish holy days. It is a day dedicated to atonement for the sins of the people of Israel, and its rituals foreshadow the ultimate atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ.The High Priest as a Type of Christ On the Day of Atonement, the high priest played a central role, acting as a mediator between God and the people. He entered the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt. This act prefigures Christ, our great High Priest, who entered the heavenly sanctuary to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." The Sacrificial Offerings The sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement included a bull for the sin offering of the high priest and two goats for the people. The bull's sacrifice was necessary for the high priest to atone for his own sins and those of his household, symbolizing the need for purification before approaching God. This highlights the sinlessness of Christ, who needed no such offering for Himself, as He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The two goats presented a vivid picture of atonement. One goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, and its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat to cleanse the sanctuary from the impurities of the Israelites. This act symbolizes Christ's sacrificial death, where His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Leviticus 16:15-16 describes this ritual: "Then he shall slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the veil. He is to do with this blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites, whatever their sins may have been." The Scapegoat The second goat, known as the scapegoat, was presented alive before the Lord. The high priest laid his hands on its head, confessing over it all the iniquities of the Israelites, symbolically transferring their sins onto the goat. It was then sent away into the wilderness, signifying the removal of sin from the people. This act prefigures Christ's role as the bearer of our sins, as described in Isaiah 53:6 : "We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." The Fulfillment in Christ The Day of Atonement's rituals find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. His atoning work on the cross accomplished what the annual sacrifices could only symbolize. As stated in Hebrews 10:10 , "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." In summary, the Day of Atonement and its sacrifices serve as a profound type of Christ, illustrating His role as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Through these Old Testament shadows, believers gain a deeper understanding of the magnitude and completeness of Christ's atoning work. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 16:15,16Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 9:12,24 Library Entire Sanctification in Type. Scriptural Types. Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time The New Covenant. "And for Sin Condemned Sin in the Flesh. " The Copies of Things in the Heavens The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement The Fourth Day in Passion-Week - Jesus in his Last Sabbatic Rest ... The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ... Of the Sacraments. Resources What are the different types of angels? | GotQuestions.orgAre there different types of demons? | GotQuestions.org What are the different types of love mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Types of Christ: Ark of the Covenant Types of Christ: Atonement, Sacrifices offered on the Day of Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent Types of Christ: Burnt offering Types of Christ: Cities of Refuge Types of Christ: Golden Candlestick Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder Types of Christ: Laver of Brass Types of Christ: Leper's offering Types of Christ: Morning and Evening Sacrifices Types of Christ: Peace offerings Types of Christ: Rock of Horeb Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread Types of Christ: Trespass offering Types of Christ: Vail of the Tabernacle and Temple Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship Types of the Saviour: Melchizedek Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Altar Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Laver Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent Types of the Saviour: The Cities of Refuge Types of the Saviour: The Curtain Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat Types of the Saviour: The Morning and Evening Sacrifice Types of the Saviour: The Paschal Lamb Types of the Saviour: The Red Heifer Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life Types: Miscellaneous: Bride, a Type of the Body of Christ Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary Types: Miscellaneous: The Saving of Noah and his Family, of the Salvation Through the Gospel Related Terms |