The Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, is a significant event in the Jewish calendar and holds profound meaning in Christian theology as well. It is a day when the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple to atone for the sins of the people. This practice is described in detail in the Bible, particularly in the book of Leviticus. Here, we’ll explore scriptures related to the Day of Atonement from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.
Leviticus 16
This chapter is pivotal in understanding the rituals and significance of the Day of Atonement. It begins with God instructing Moses on how to guide Aaron, the high priest, to enter the Holy of Holies on this day to make atonement for himself and the children of Israel.
Leviticus 16:1-34 (KJV)
- Verse 1: “And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;”
- Verses 2-5: Describe the preparations Aaron must make, including bathing, putting on linen garments, and making an offering for himself and his household.
- Verses 6-10: Explain the selection of two goats: one for the Lord (to be slain as a sin offering) and the other for Azazel (the scapegoat, to be sent away into the wilderness).
- Verses 11-19: Detail Aaron’s entry into the Holy of Holies with the blood of the slain goat, to sprinkle it on the mercy seat for himself and the people.
- Verses 20-22: Describe the ritual of the scapegoat: Aaron lays his hands on the head of the live goat, confesses all the iniquities of the children of Israel, putting them on the head of the goat, which is then sent into the wilderness.
- Verse 29: “And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:”
- Verse 30: “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.”
- Verse 34: “And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Other Relevant Scriptures
- Leviticus 23:27-28 (KJV): Also speaks of the Day of Atonement, emphasizing it as a day of sabbath, where no work is to be done and an offering is to be made by fire unto the Lord.
- Numbers 29:7-11 (KJV): Provides the details of the offerings that are to be made on the Day of Atonement.
- Hebrews 9:1-14 (KJV): Offers a New Testament perspective, comparing the earthly sanctuary and its rituals, including the Day of Atonement, with the heavenly sanctuary and Christ’s sacrifice.
These scriptures highlight the importance of the Day of Atonement, both in the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The Rituals and practices of the Day of Atonement serve as a vivid reminder of the need for atonement for sin and point to the ultimate sacrifice and High Priest, Jesus Christ.
