What is the Day of Atonement?
The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, stands as one of the most significant holy days in the Old Testament. It was central to Israel’s annual worship and highlighted God’s provision for cleansing sin and restoring fellowship with His people. While rooted in the Mosaic law, the meaning of this day points beyond Israel’s rituals to the greater and final atonement accomplished in Jesus Christ. A thorough treatment of the Day of Atonement sacrifices are provided in chapters 6-7 of my book The Gospel is Bigger than You Think.
1. Meaning and purpose of the Day of Atonement
The word atonement means reconciliation—being made “at one” with God. In the Old Testament, sin separated Israel from God, requiring a sacrificial system for cleansing. Unlike daily sacrifices, the Day of Atonement was unique:
It happened once a year (Leviticus 16:29–34).
It involved the high priest entering the Most Holy Place—the only day he could go behind the veil.
It symbolized total cleansing for the nation, not just for individuals.
The purpose of the Day of Atonement was twofold:
To purify the sanctuary that had been defiled by Israel’s sins.
To remove the guilt of the people, reconciling them with God.
This day dramatized the seriousness of sin and the necessity of God’s mercy for His people to remain in covenant fellowship.
2. Rituals of the Day of Atonement
Leviticus 16 outlines the details of this sacred ceremony. It contained two major components:
A. The high priest’s preparation
He bathed and dressed in sacred linen garments (Leviticus 16:4).
He offered a bull for his own sins, acknowledging that he, too, was guilty (Leviticus 16:6).
B. The two goats
The sin offering goat – Sacrificed, and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat to cleanse the Most Holy Place (Leviticus 16:15–16).
The scapegoat – Symbolically bore the sins of the people, released into the wilderness, carrying their iniquities away (Leviticus 16:21–22).
Together, these goats represented both propitiation (satisfying God’s wrath through sacrifice) and expiation (removing sin from the people).
3. The symbolism of the Most Holy Place
At the center of this ritual was the Ark of the Covenant, covered by the mercy seat and flanked by golden cherubim.
The mercy seat symbolized God’s throne.
The incense cloud concealed the priest from God’s glory (Leviticus 16:12–13).
The blood sprinkled on the mercy seat served as a covering for sin, protecting Israel from judgment.
This imagery underscored the holiness of God and the danger of sinful humanity approaching Him without atonement. Only with shed blood could the high priest intercede, highlighting the cost of sin and the grace of forgiveness.
4. The Day of Atonement in Israel’s calendar
The Day of Atonement occurred on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri), falling within the fall festivals. Its placement is significant:
It followed the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23–25), which called Israel to repentance.
It preceded the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration of God’s presence among His people (Leviticus 23:33–43).
Thus, the sequence emphasized repentance, atonement, and restored fellowship—a pattern later fulfilled in the work of Christ.
5. Fulfillment in Jesus Christ
The New Testament presents Christ’s death as the true and final Day of Atonement. The book of Hebrews draws the clearest connection:
Once for all sacrifice – Unlike the high priest’s annual offering, Jesus offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 9:12, 26).
Entering heaven itself – The high priest entered an earthly sanctuary, but Christ entered the heavenly one (Hebrews 9:24).
Perfect cleansing – Animal sacrifices could only temporarily cover sin; Christ’s blood cleanses the conscience (Hebrews 10:1–4, 14).
The scapegoat finds fulfillment in Christ as well. Just as sins were symbolically placed on the goat and carried into the wilderness, so Jesus bore the sins of His people, removing them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
6. The Day of Atonement and the Gospel
The Day of Atonement foreshadows the Gospel in powerful ways:
Substitution: Just as the goat died in the place of the people, Christ died in our place (1 Peter 3:18).
Cleansing: The sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat points to Christ’s blood purifying us (1 John 1:7).
Access to God: The veil restricting entry into the Most Holy Place was torn at Christ’s death (Matthew 27:51), signifying open access to God through Him.
Restoration: The ceremony pointed to God’s intent to dwell with His people, fulfilled in Christ’s promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20).
The Day of Atonement teaches that reconciliation is God’s work, not humanity’s achievement. It is a gift of grace, fulfilled by the Messiah’s obedience and sacrifice.
7. Eschatological significance of the Day of Atonement
The Day of Atonement not only looked back to Israel’s sins but forward to God’s ultimate restoration. The pattern of repentance, atonement, and dwelling with God mirrors the grand biblical story:
Humanity’s sin requires judgment.
God provides atonement through His chosen mediator.
Final reconciliation comes when God dwells with His people forever (Revelation 21:3–4).
Thus, the Day of Atonement anticipates the consummation of history, when sin will be fully removed, and God’s people will live eternally in His presence.
8. Lessons for Christians today
While Christians are no longer bound to observe the Day of Atonement ritual, its meaning continues to instruct:
Take sin seriously – The annual reminder showed Israel the weight of rebellion.
Trust the true Mediator – Only Christ can bring lasting reconciliation.
Live as a cleansed people – Those forgiven must live in holiness (Hebrews 10:22–23).
Hope in final restoration – The pattern of the festivals points to the new creation when God’s people will experience full atonement.
Conclusion
The Day of Atonement was the most solemn and hope-filled day of Israel’s year, showing that God made a way for His people to remain in covenant fellowship despite their sins. Through blood sacrifice and priestly mediation, sins were both covered and removed. Yet this annual ritual pointed beyond itself to Christ, whose once-for-all atonement secures eternal redemption. In Him, the mercy seat is no longer a symbol—it is reality, as God reconciles His people to Himself through the cross.
Bible verses related to the Day of Atonement
“On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement.” (Leviticus 23:27)
“The life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
“The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51)
“God put him forward as a propitiation by his blood.” (Romans 3:25)
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“He entered once for all into the holy places… by means of his own blood.” (Hebrews 9:12)
“By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” (Revelation 21:3)
