Hebrew Word Study - "Kaphar" (Strong's H3722)

[JonC]

In this verse, I suspected that unrighteousness was a stain on our souls from sinful actions.

This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work, which not only forgives but also purifies, enabling believers to live in righteousness and holiness.

I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I agree about the stain of sin. But on the Day of Atonement two distinct issues are addressed - one with the sacrifice to God and one with the animal to Azazel.

Cleansing us from the stain of sin, from our unrighteousness, is not itself forgiveness. But carrying away those sins (those actions) from remembrance is forgiveness.

I believe this is important as the basis for forgiveness is the ultimate cleansing in Christ (what Leviticus foreshadows). We are made new creations, ultimately made righteous and in His image, glorified.

Our sins are therefore carried away. God forgives us.

 

[Ben1445]

No. The "cleansing", "washing", "purification" is related to contamination from people's unrighteousness.

So are you talking about atonement or washing. The words don’t mean the same thing.

Aaron made atonement for a tent.
He made atonement for the altar.
He then made atonement for the sins of the people.

Made an atonement is not the same as made a cleansing.

Perhaps this will answer your question -

In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness (Leviticus 16:16)

Atonement is appeasement. It is not the restoration of the person by washing. It is the
Restoration of the relationship between God and men.

A child doesn’t atone for his disobedience by cleaning the rug when he goes in the living room with koolaid and spills on the rug when his mom has told him don’t take food and drinks in the living room. Washing the rug takes care of the rug. It takes something more than that to atone for disobedience.

And verse 18-19

Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

You could view this as cleansing from the uncleanness from sin and unrighteousness.

Consecration is not cleansing.

Consider God's words in Isaiah:

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor...

That says nothing about atonement.

I hope that helps.

I’m sorry but it doesn’t.

 

[JonC]

So are you talking about atonement or washing. The words don’t mean the same thing.

Made an atonement is not the same as made a cleansing.


Atonement is appeasement. It is not the restoration of the person by washing. It is the
Restoration of the relationship between God and men.

A child doesn’t atone for his disobedience by cleaning the rug when he goes in the living room with koolaid and spills on the rug when his mom has told him don’t take food and drinks in the living room. Washing the rug takes care of the rug. It takes something more than that to atone for disobedience.


Consecration is not cleansing.


That says nothing about atonement.


I’m sorry but it doesn’t.

Maybe this will help:

"on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you." (Leviticus 16:30)

Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Maybe this will help:

"on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you." (Leviticus 16:30)

The atonement is made first, and this brings about the cleansing. The scapegoat is sent away from the people and is said to 'bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land' (Lev.16:22). In the expression of 'a goat for Azazel' in lieu of 'sacapegoat,' 'Azazel' can have the meaning of 'a rocky precipice' or maybe 'complete destruction' or 'cutting off.' Some have suggested that it is the name of a goat demon, but this is surely unlikely since in Lev. 17:7, offerings to goat demons (or 'satyrs') are explicitly forbidden.
Thus the scapegoat is depicted in Lev. 16 as bearing away the sin and guilt of the Israelites and receiving in their place the punishment referenced in 2 Thes. 1:9, just like 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,' who suffered 'outside the gate.'

 

[JonC]

The atonement is made first, and this brings about the cleansing. The scapegoat is sent away from the people and is said to 'bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land' (Lev.16:22). In the expression of 'a goat for Azazel' in lieu of 'sacapegoat,' 'Azazel' can have the meaning of 'a rocky precipice' or maybe 'complete destruction' or 'cutting off.' Some have suggested that it is the name of a goat demon, but this is surely unlikely since in Lev. 17:7, offerings to goat demons (or 'satyrs') are explicitly forbidden.
Thus the scapegoat is depicted in Lev. 16 as bearing away the sin and guilt of the Israelites and receiving in their place the punishment referenced in 2 Thes. 1:9, just like 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,' who suffered 'outside the gate.'

"Azazel" can have many meanings. We do not know the meaning in the verse. I do not think it matters as it does not change the effect of the unharmed goat.

The "scapegoat" ("totegoat") does bear the sins (not the guilt, this is cleansed). This is forgiveness (the sins are taken away). No substitutionary death, no punishment of sins. The animal carries away the sins. The goat is not harmed.

The only animal that is killed is the goat dedicated to God. But the shedding of blood does not atone for the tent, the altar, or the people. The blood must be applied. Why? Because the blood represents life and foreshadows that Life through which we are cleansed of all unrighteousness.

Sins are not addressed by the atonement. They are addressed by the scapegoat.