What Is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)?
What Is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)? The Day of Atonement was the holiest day in Israel's calendar when the High Priest made sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate atonement.
Key verse: Leviticus 16:30 (KJV)
The Day of Atonement was the holiest day in Israel's calendar when the High Priest made sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate atonement.
The Day of Atonement was the holiest day in Israel's calendar when the High Priest made sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate atonement.
"For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD." — Leviticus 16:30 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Described in Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the one day each year when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all of Israel's sins. He first offered a bull for his own sins, then selected two goats—one was sacrificed as a sin offering and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat, while the other (the scapegoat) symbolically bore the people's sins and was sent into the wilderness. The entire nation fasted and did no work. Hebrews 9-10 explains that this annual ritual pointed to Christ, who entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption once for all. The Day of Atonement is fulfilled in Christ's finished work on the cross.
Key Scripture References
"For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD."
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
"And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
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Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
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Deep Dive Commentary
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Atonement (כִּפֻּר (Kippur) / ἱλασμός (Hilasmos))
The covering or removal of sin through sacrifice
Bible Verses About Atonement
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Blood Atonement
10 curated KJV verses
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Leviticus. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Leviticus on day 34 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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