The Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur

[Deacon]

Today (Monday, Sept 21, 2026) is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The word appears in Tyndale's 1526 New Testament translation rendering the Greek katallagē (“reconciliation,” KJV) in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and in his Old Testament when translating the Hebrew root c‑p‑r found in Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”), e.g. Leviticus 16.

The word originated in English and was derived by Tyndale from the phrase “at one,” signifying a harmony of relationship or unity of life. Theologically, atonement describes the reconciliation between God and fallen humanity.
What is the Origin and Meaning of the Word "Atonement"? [link]

"The full instructions for carrying out the day appear in Leviticus 16, and even to the familiar, a careful reading yields a few surprises. For example, while many are aware that Yom Kippur is the only time in the whole year that anyone is allowed to enter the most holy place, there is a lot more going in and out of the holy of holies than you might have thought. The high priest has to make three separate trips.

There is no mention of a cord around his ankle to pull him out in case of death – that legend developed after the Bible was written – but it developed due to the deadly seriousness of entering into such a holy place. Sin, after all, leads to death and it must be dealt with. First and foremost in the priest's own household.

The day’s activities require not just two goats as many might imagine, but five different animals: a bull, two rams, as well as the two goats. Four of the five are slaughtered to make atonement for sin, but the scapegoat gets sent into oblivion rather than sacrificed on the altar like the rest.

The bull is offered to atone for the sin of the high priest and his household first of all. This must be done before he can help anyone else.

While the high priest is kept busy, the people themselves do nothing – nothing at all. The only requirement is that they should “afflict themselves,” which has since been interpreted as fasting. The Bible emphasizes that no one should do any work whatsoever. This mirrors the grace of forgiveness experienced by Christians who receive absolution without doing anything to deserve or earn it – simply humbling themselves to accept God’s forgiveness as a gift.

Another surprise is that the high priest is not wearing the outfit you might be imagining. Instead of his full regalia with the breastplate of precious jewels, he has to wear simple, white linen and a regular turban. It is like a metaphor for coming simply and humbly before God with all outer glory stripped away." From: Dealing with sin on Yom Kippur

But without the Temple or a sacrificial system, the Jewish holiday has no ability to fulfill the requirements of the day.

The NT book of Hebrews presents Christ as the ultimate high priest who entered heaven itself through his own blood, securing eternal redemption and purifying conscience from dead works in a way the blood of animals could not. (Heb 9:6–14) Romans and 1 John describe Christ as the propitiation—the satisfaction of divine justice—for the sins of humanity. (Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2)

As believers, we are now "at-one" with God.

Rob

 

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Today (Monday, Sept 21, 2026) is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The word appears in Tyndale's 1526 New Testament translation rendering the Greek katallagē (“reconciliation,” KJV) in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and in his Old Testament when translating the Hebrew root c‑p‑r found in Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”), e.g. Leviticus 16.

The word originated in English and was derived by Tyndale from the phrase “at one,” signifying a harmony of relationship or unity of life. Theologically, atonement describes the reconciliation between God and fallen humanity.
What is the Origin and Meaning of the Word "Atonement"? [link]


But without the Temple or a sacrificial system, the Jewish holiday has no ability to fulfill the requirements of the day.

The NT book of Hebrews presents Christ as the ultimate high priest who entered heaven itself through his own blood, securing eternal redemption and purifying conscience from dead works in a way the blood of animals could not. (Heb 9:6–14) Romans and 1 John describe Christ as the propitiation—the satisfaction of divine justice—for the sins of humanity. (Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2)

As believers, we are now "at-one" with God.

Rob

The redemption of the Jews draweth nigh.