What Is the Day of Atonement?
What Is the Day of Atonement? The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the high priest made a special sacrifice to atone for the sins of the entire nation.
Key verse: Leviticus 16:30 (KJV)
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the high priest made a special sacrifice to atone for the sins of the entire nation.
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, when the high priest made a special sacrifice to atone for the sins of the entire nation.
"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
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Related Verses
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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 Israel's sins. The ritual involved two goats: one was sacrificed as a sin offering, its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat; the other, the 'scapegoat,' had the people's sins symbolically placed upon it and was sent into the wilderness. The high priest had to first atone for his own sins before he could intercede for the people. This solemn day required fasting and complete rest. It powerfully foreshadowed Christ's work: Jesus is both our High Priest who entered the heavenly Holy of Holies and the sacrifice whose blood provides eternal atonement. Unlike the earthly high priest who repeated the ritual annually, Christ offered Himself once for all. The scapegoat pictures how Christ carried our sins away, never to be remembered again.
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."
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Tabernacle?
The Tabernacle was the portable tent sanctuary where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites during their wilderness journey and early settlement in Canaan.
Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin and reconcile humanity to God.
What is the significance of the cross?
The cross is the central symbol of Christianity, representing Jesus' sacrificial death for humanity's sins and God's ultimate demonstration of love, justice, and redemption.
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.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
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In-depth study • Atonement
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?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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