Day of Atonement Established
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Book: Leviticus
- Chapters: 16
- Summary: God establishes the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) — the most solemn day of the Israelite calendar.
Details
God instructed Moses on the most sacred ritual of the year: once annually, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to make atonement for himself, his household, and all the sins of Israel. Two goats were selected by lot — “one for the LORD” and “one for the scapegoat” (azazel). The first goat was sacrificed, and its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat of the Ark seven times. The second goat (the scapegoat) had the sins of Israel confessed over it and was sent alive into the wilderness, carrying away their iniquities. The high priest wore only linen garments (not the golden priestly robes). The people were to afflict their souls (fast). This ritual alone maintained the covenant relationship between a holy God and His sinful people until the final atonement would come through Christ.
Key People Involved
Key Places
- Tabernacle — Specifically the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)
Important Verses
- Leviticus 16:30 — “For on that day shall the priest make an end for you, to cleanse you… from all your sins shall ye be clean before the LORD.”
- Leviticus 16:22 — “And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited.”
Cross-References
- Related events: Tabernacle Consecration
- Fulfilled in: Hebrews 9:7–14 — Christ enters the true Most Holy Place with His own blood
- Romans 8:3 — “Sin offering” fulfilled in Christ
- 1 John 1:7 — “The blood of Jesus Christ… cleanseth us from all sin”
Notes
Yom Kippur remains the most important day in the Jewish calendar. For Christians, it finds its fulfillment in Christ — who entered heaven itself, not a copy, with His own blood, once for all (Hebrews 9:12).