Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement

Israel’s most awesome holy day, known as “Yom Kippur” or The Day of Atonement, is an ever-present theme woven throughout the pages of Scripture. Three and one-half millennia after its divine institution, Yom Kippur still wields a powerful influence over the culture and worship of Israel. But of even greater import, Yom Kippur provides a necessary back-drop of understanding the scope of the Messiah’s payment for sin and the security of God’s people today.

The Day of Atonement is the English equivalent for Yom Kippur. For many, however, the word atonement is vague and sheds no light on the meaning of the holiday. Kippur is from the Hebrew word kaphar meaning “to cover.” Therefore, the word atonement simply means “a covering.” It was on Yom Kippur that an atonement (covering) was made for the previous year’s sins. The atonement or covering consisted of a blood sacrifice of an innocent animal. The Lord commanded, “‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement (covering) for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement (covering) for the soul;” (Lev. 17:11)

On this day of solemn reflection and repentance, the High Priest sacrificed a bull and a goat as a sin offering. Another goat, the Scapegoat, was led into the wilderness to symbolize the transferal of Israel’s sin. These sacrifices were performed annually for the atonement of sins. “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.” (Hebrews 10:3)

In the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), a final sacrifice was made for our sins. “For by one offering, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:4). We rejoice that Messiah (Jesus) gave up His life for us - no one took it from Him, yet it was the sins of each one of us that brought it about.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, points to the future day when Israel repents of her sins and turns to the Messiah for salvation.