The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, described in Leviticus 16. This annual event was designed to deal with sin, purification, and reconciliation between God and His people. By studying it in detail, we see how the Old Testament ritual points forward to the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ, and how it applies to believers today.
1. God’s Warning and the Need for Holiness
Leviticus 16 opens after the death of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1–2). God warns Aaron:
“Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:2 KJV).
This emphasizes that holiness cannot tolerate sin. The priests had to approach God according to His instructions, illustrating that separation from sin is essential in worship. Scofield notes that this foreshadows Christ, the perfect high priest, who enters heaven itself on our behalf (Hebrews 9:11–12).
2. Preparations for the High Priest
Aaron was required to follow strict preparations before entering the Holy of Holies:
Wear linen garments: tunic, breeches, girdle, and turban (Leviticus 16:4).
Wash his body with water to symbolize cleansing.
Offer a bull for his own sins before making atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:3,11–14).
These actions show that even the high priest, as God’s representative, needed purification before approaching the presence of God. Scofield notes that Christ, unlike the Levitical priests, had no need for atonement for Himself because He was sinless (Hebrews 7:26–27).
3. The Two Goats and Their Purpose
Leviticus 16:5–10 describes the use of two goats:
One goat is sacrificed to the Lord as a sin offering.
The other, called the scapegoat, is sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the sins of Israel.
Aaron casts lots to determine which goat serves which purpose (Leviticus 16:8). Scofield explains that the scapegoat represents Christ bearing away the sins of humanity, fulfilling the role of substitution and removal. This principle is further reflected in 1 John 2:2, where Christ is described as the atonement not only for individual sins but for the sins of the whole world.
4. Making Atonement for the Sanctuary and the People
Aaron made atonement in stages:
Holy Place and Tabernacle: Sprinkling the blood of the bull and goat purified the sanctuary (Leviticus 16:16–19).
Scapegoat: Aaron laid hands on the goat, confessed all Israel’s sins, and sent it into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21–22).
Priests and People: Atonement extended to the high priest, his household, and the congregation (Leviticus 16:33–34).
Scofield emphasizes that these steps foreshadow Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, which purifies humanity and gives access to God (Hebrews 9:25–28).
5. The Concept of Covering (Atonement)
The Thomas Nelson Study Bible explains that the word atonement originally refers to covering. For example:
Genesis 6:14: Noah was instructed to cover the ark with pitch, protecting it from judgment.
Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife: but love covereth all sins.”
Proverbs 17:9: “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
This principle illustrates that sin is not ignored but covered, first through sacrificial blood under the law, and ultimately through Christ’s sacrifice. Believers are also called to cover one another’s failings with forgiveness, love, and restoration.
6. Christ as the Fulfillment of Atonement
Scofield explains three key aspects of the atonement that Christ fulfills:
Substitutionary: Christ died in our place, paying the penalty of sin.
Sinlessness of the Offering: Christ was without blemish, fulfilling the requirement of the law (Hebrews 4:15).
Effectiveness: Christ’s sacrifice secures forgiveness, purification, and fellowship with God (Romans 3:24–26).
Hebrews 10:19–22 KJV encourages believers to enter God’s presence with confidence:
“Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, his flesh… having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The “pure water” symbolizes the Word of God, which purifies believers as they live in obedience and faith.
7. The Future Fulfillment for Israel
Scofield also teaches that the Day of Atonement has a future prophetic aspect for Israel. When Christ, the true High Priest, comes out of heaven, Israel will be restored:
Romans 11:23–27: Israel will be grafted back into God’s plan if they do not remain in unbelief.
Zechariah 12:10; 13:1: Israel will mourn for the One they pierced and receive cleansing through His blood.
Revelation 1:7: Christ’s return will be visible to all nations.
This future fulfillment represents spiritual and national restoration for Israel, completing the type foreshadowed in the Levitical rituals.
8. The Call for Believers Today
As part of the New Covenant, believers are considered a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Through Christ, we have access to God’s presence, and we are called to live lives of holiness and forgiveness:
Titus 2:12–13 KJV: Live soberly, righteously, and godly while awaiting Christ’s return.
1 John 3:3 KJV: Purify ourselves in hope, just as Christ is pure.
The principles of the Day of Atonement teach us about forgiveness, reconciliation, and living a holy life while anticipating the return of Christ.
Conclusion
The Day of Atonement was Israel’s most solemn day, involving meticulous rituals to cleanse the sanctuary, the priests, and the people from sin. Through the sacrifices of bulls and goats, God revealed principles of substitution, atonement, and covering.
C.I. Scofield and the Thomas Nelson Study Bible explain that Christ fulfills these types perfectly. He offered Himself once for all, removed the penalty of sin, and provides access to God for all who believe. Believers are called to live in holiness, forgiveness, and love while looking forward to His return.
Leviticus 16, in this light, becomes not only a historical ritual but a profound lesson in God’s mercy, justice, and plan for ultimate redemption.
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