DAY OF ATONEMENT
Day of Atonement -Yom Kippurim
Sabbath of Sabbaths -Shabbat Shabbat
Pure Convocation- Mikra Kodesh
Most pure - Kodesh Kodeshim
Solemn Assembly -Atsereth
Memorial Zikrown
Afflicting the Soul, Fasting No Food or Drink, Day of Cleansing From Sin,
Repentance, Initiates Jubilee Year, Turning Back, Return, Azazel, Putting Away of Satan, At-one-ment, Man is
Made at One with YaHVaH.
Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."
Mark 1:15, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Hebrews 9:22, 27-28 and 10:10, " . . . without shedding of blood is no remission [of sins] . . . . And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many
. . . . we are sanctified through the offering of the body of YaHOSHA Messiah once for all."
Hebrews 10:16-22, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith YaHVaH, I will put My
laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no
more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness
to enter into the holiest by the blood of YaHOSHA, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us,
through the vail, that is to say, His flesh; And having an high priest over the house of YaH; Let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water.
Psalm 35:13, "I humbled [afflicted] my soul with fasting . . . ."
James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of YaHVaH, and He shall lift you up."
The Day of Atonement
Day of Atonement is a Special "Sabbath of Sabbaths"
Leviticus 23:27-32, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it
shall be an pure convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto
YaHVaH. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you
before YaHVaH your YaH. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut
off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I
destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your
generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest [Hebrew: "sabbath of sabbaths,"
indicating that Atonement is a Sabbath of paramount importance], and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day
of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate [rest] your sabbath.
Purpose to Make Atonement For Our Sins Once a Year
Leviticus 16:29-34, And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the
tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all . . . . For on that day shall the
priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before YaHVaH. It shall
be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever . . . . And this shall be
an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year.
Exodus 30:10, And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the
sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations:
It is most pure unto YaHVaH.
Why is atonement for sins needed?
Ezekiel 18:4, 20, . . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die [unless that sin is atoned, or covered].
Hebrews 9:22, . . . without shedding of blood [there] is no remission.
Significance of Old Testament Atonement Rites
Please read Leviticus 16:1-34. Here is a commentary on this important Bible chapter:
The Old Testament rites of the Day of Atonement have great significance. Aaron is a type of Messiah. The
pure place represented, was a type, of the throne room of the Almighty in Heaven. See Exodus 25:17-20 and
Jeremiah 17:12. The mercy seat was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments.
The high priest was an impure human being, unfit to stand in the presence of the sinless spiritual Creator, so he
had to be cleansed and his sins removed. The physical rituals did not really do this, but reminded them of sin
and the need for the coming messianic sacrifice. The priest's "pure garments" represented righteousness,
Revelation 19:8.
The Hebrew word translated "scapegoat" in the KJV is Azazel. Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon defines azazel as
"an evil demon." Azal means "he removed or separated." Azazel thus represents Satan the Devil. The English word
scapegoat comes from escape goat, the one let go in the wilderness. Today scapegoat means "one who bears the
blame for others, but is not guilty himself." Satan is no scapegoat! He is guilty and will be punished for his
own sins. Man naturally is inclined to shift the blame, seeking a scapegoat. Satan's message is "always blame
someone else, never clean up yourself." Messiahians freely admit their own guilt. Messiah freely pays the
penalty for the sinner, upon true repentance and a desire not to sin in the future.
Messiah is no scapegoat either.
Notice that the high priest cast lots to decide which goat was for YaHVaH and which was to represent
Satan. He could not humanly determine which one was which. A lot is a solemn appeal to YaH to decide a doubtful
matter. A separated religious ceremony, casting of lots includes a supernatural act of YaH. Thus, lotteries and
gambling are of the devil, profaning a pure ceremony. Proverbs 16:33. Men today are unable to tell who is of
Messiah, who is of Satan. The devil has done his work of deception so well, that the world does not know who is
of YaH and who is of the Devil. Most Christian professing people who think they are worshipping YaH, might
be worshipping the Devil, II Corinthians 4:4.
The incense of the high priest represented prayer, Revelation 5:8, the kind of petitions the Almighty will
hear. Sweet incense shows that our attitude in prayer should not be bitter or vindictive. Beaten fine indicates
that we are to be specific in prayer requests. Don't use the trite generalization: "YaH bless everyone." As
incense rises from hot coals, so our prayers are to ascend like a cloud. Just as the cloud of incense protected
the high priest from the glory of the Almighty, so prayers bring YaH's protection.
The goat of the sin offering represented Messiah. Its blood symbolized the shed blood of our Savior. Why
did the high priest sprinkle blood on the mercy seat? Because the mercy seat covered the Ark of the Covenant,
containing the Ten Commandments written in stone by the finger of YaH. Breaking these laws made a sin offering
necessary. Blood covered the Ark, thus symbolically "covering" broken law. The altar, tabernacle, and mercy seat
were defiled by sin. During the year, the sins of Israel were symbolically transferred to the tabernacle and its
fixtures. Once a year sin was symbolically removed at Atonement so that YaH could continue to dwell among His
people. Sin separates us from YaH, Isaiah 59:2.
The priest entering within the vail with the blood of the goat represents the risen Messiah entering YaH's
tabernacle on Wavesheaf Sunday in Heaven, beseeching the Almighty to apply His precious blood for our sins.
Messiah is our high priest today, Hebrews 7:25, 4:14-16, our intercessor with the Father.
Laying on of hands on the live goat reminded Israel that their sins needed to be placed on the head of
Satan, the father of sin. Laying on of hands symbolizes a setting apart, bestowing some characteristic or
attribute to, a being. The second goat cannot represent Messiah, for when He died, He fully paid for our sins.
Satan has a principal role in our sins. Messiah paid for our part in our sins. Satan's part in our sins will be
placed right back on his own head, where it belongs. Revelation 20:1-2 is a parallel passage, showing Satan will
be bound. The "fit man" of Leviticus 16:21 represents an angel, who takes Satan away. Azazel, Satan, carries his
own sins, he is no longer allowed to deceive people, and lives on in the wilderness.
After the ceremony is over, the high priest must wash his garments. After coming in contact with the
symbolic Devil, he has to purify himself. Changing garments signifies putting away sin. The whole Messiah-
life involves cleaning our garments, Zechariah 3:3-4, Revelation 3:4. We must continually wash ourselves from
associations with this sinful world, Ephesians 5:26. Every Messianic must have the appropriate wedding garments,
signifying righteousness.
All spiritual Israelites must keep the Day of Atonement, an everlasting statute and reminder that we need
the atoning blood of our Savior.
Hebrews 8, 9, 10 Explain Meaning
of Leviticus 16
(1)Messiah is our High Priest; Physical Things Served as Examples of Spiritual.
Hebrews 8:1-2, 5, We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty
in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary [pure things], and of the true tabernacle, which YaHVaH pitched, and
not man . . . . [which physical things] serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things . . . .
(2)What Was in pure of Holies; Mercy Is Available to Cover Broken Law.
Hebrews 9:3-5, And after [inside] the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant . . . and the tables of the covenant [two tables of stone]
having the 10 Commandments]. And over it the cherubims of splendor shadowing the mercy seat . . . .
(3)Physical Ordinances on Day of Atonement Did Not Make Israel Perfect; Reminded them of Sins and
need of Atonement (covering), or Forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:7-10, But into the second [tabernacle, or "pure of holies/kodesh"] went the high priest alone once
every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people . . . the way into
the holiest of all was not yet made manifest [available] . . . was a figure [type] . . . in which were offered
both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect . . . . Which stood only in meats
and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal [physical] ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 10:1, 3-5, For the [ceremonial] law having a shadow of good things to come . . . can never with
those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect . . . . But in
those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of
bulls and goats should take away sins . . . . Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou
prepared me [a perfect human sacrifice -- Messiah -- is necessary].
Hebrews 10:11, And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices
which can never take away sins.
(4)The Offering of Messiah Once and For All Provided a Means of Atoning for Our Sins: O.T.
Sacrifices Done Away.
Hebrews 9:11-12, 22, But Messiah being come an high priest . . . . by His own blood He entered in once
into the pure place, having obtained eternal redemption for us . . . . without shedding of blood is no remission
[of sins].
Hebrews 9:26-28, . . . but now once . . . hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself .
. . . So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many . . . .
Hebrews 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of YaHOSHA Messiah
once for all.
Hebrews 10:18, Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
See also Hebrews 7:26-27.
(5)By This Atonement, Messiah is the Mediator of the New Covenant.
Hebrews 9:15, And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of his death . .
. they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 10:16-17, This is the covenant that I will make with them . . . I will put My laws into their
hearts, and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
(6)We Have Constant Availability of Mercy (Atonement for our sins).
Hebrews 7:25, Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto YaH by Him seeing He ever
liveth to make intercession for them.
(7)We Cannot Disdain the Blood of the Covenant Whereby We Are Forgiven -- Not Use Mercy As Excuse for
Breaking the Law.
Hebrews 10:26-31, For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of YaH, and
hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unpure thing, and hath done despite unto
the Spirit of grace? . . . YaHVaH shall judge His people
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living YaH.
Special Sacrifices Offered
on Day of Atonement
Numbers 29:7-11, And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an pure convocation; and ye
shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein: But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto YaHVaH for a
sweet savor; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without
blemish: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth
deals to one ram, A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: One kid of the goats for a sin
offering; beside the sin offering of atonement [see Leviticus 16], and the continual burnt offering, and the meat
offering of it, and their drink offerings.
What Kind of Sacrifice Does YaH Want Today? Why?
Psalm 51:16-17, For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it . . . . The sacrifices of YaH are
a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O YaH, Thou wilt not despise.
Hosea 6:6, For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of YaH more than burnt offerings.
I Peter 2:5, . . . [we are] to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
Leviticus 23:27, . . . and you shall afflict your souls . . . .
Psalm 35:13, . . . I humbled [afflicted] my soul with fasting.
Psalm 69:10, When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting . . . .
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, . . . to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou
wouldest keep His commandments or no. And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna
[supernatural food] . . . that He might make thee know that man doeth not live by bread only, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of YaHVaH doth man live.
Isaiah 58:6-7, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the
heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke [of sins which burden you]? Is it
not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest
the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh [have compassion on others,
but be hard on yourself, get rid of your sins]?
Paul Began His Voyage to Rome After Atonement
Acts 27:9, Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now
already past, Paul admonished them.
Day of Trumpets Foreshadows Atonement
Joel 2:1, 15-17, Blow ye the trumpet in Zion . . . let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the
day of YaHVaH cometh, for it is nigh at hand . . . . Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn
assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children . . . let the
bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet [time to refrain from embracing, Ecclesiastes
3:5, and sexual relations, because of fasting and prayer, I Corinthians 7:5]. Let the priests, the ministers of
YaHVaH, weep . . . and let them say, Spare Thy people, O YaHVaH, and give not thine heritage to reproach . . . .
Joel 2:12-13, 32, . . . turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and
with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto YaHVaH your YaH: for He is gracious and
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil [is anxious not to punish you].
NOTE: The message of these verses is clear: YaH's people need to repent, or they will not be spared in the
Day of YaHVaH. But "whosoever shall call on the name of YaHVaH shall be delivered," Joel 2:32. Jews read Micah
7:18-20 on the Day of Atonement to show that YaH's mercy is available, IF we repent: "Who is a YaH like unto Thee,
that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? [those few who do
repent] He retaineth not His anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have
compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; And Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Matthew 5:7, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Exodus 20:5-6, . . . visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth
generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Day of Atonement a Special Time of Repentance
Numbers 5:6-7, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against YaHVaH
. . . . Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense [offer restitution for]
his trespass . . . [Compare with Leviticus 16:2].
Numbers 15:30-31, But that soul that doeth aught presumptuously [refuses to confess his sins and repent]
. . . . Because he hath despised the word of YaHVaH, and hath broken His commandment, that soul shall utterly be
cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
Deuteronomy 4:30-31, When thou art in tribulation . . . in the latter days, if thou turn to YaHVaH thy
YaH, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For YaHVaH thy YaH is a merciful YaH;) He will not forsake thee,
neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant . . . [see Deuteronomy 30:1-6].
I Kings 8:33-34, [Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple] When Thy people Israel be smitten
down before the enemy, because they have sinned against Thee, and shall turn again to Thee, and confess Thy name,
and pray, and make supplication unto Thee in this house: Then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy
people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which Thou gavest unto their fathers.
I Kings 21:25-29, [Ahab humbled himself by fasting] But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell
himself to work wickedness in the sight of YaHVaH, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up . . . . And it came to pass,
when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in
sackcloth, and went softly . . . . Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? because he humbleth himself
before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring evil upon his house.
II Chronicles 7:14, If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land.
II Chronicles 33:11-13, [Manasseh humbly fasted and repented] Wherefore YaHVaH brought upon them the
captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and
carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought YaHVaH his YaH, and humbled himself greatly
before the YaH of his fathers, And prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and
brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that YaHVaH He was YaH.
Job 11:14, If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
Psalm 51:1-19, Have mercy upon me, O YaH, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude
of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou
judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in
the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be
clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast
broken may rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O
YaH; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy pure spirit from
me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors
Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O YaH, Thou YaH of my
salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. O ,YaHVaH open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall
shew forth Thy praise. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt
offering. The sacrifices of YaH are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O YaH, Thou wilt not despise.
Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the
sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon
Thine altar.
Proverbs 16:2, 6, All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes . . . . By mercy and truth iniquity is
purged; and by the fear of YaHVaH men depart from evil.
Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Isaiah 31:6, Turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek ye YaHVaH while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto YaHVaH, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our YaH, for He will abundantly pardon.
Jeremiah 3:12-14, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith YaHVaH . . . for I am merciful . . . . Only
acknowledge thine iniquity . . . . Turn, O backsliding children, saith YaHVaH.
Jeremiah 13:23, Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good,
that are accustomed to do evil.
Jeremiah 31:34, . . . for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Lamentations 5:21, Turn Thou us unto Thee [give us repentance], O YaHVaH and we shall be turned; renew our
days as of old.
Ezekiel 18:20, 21, 24, The soul that sinneth, it shall die . . . . But if the wicked will turn from all
his sins that he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely
live, he shall not die. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity . .
. shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned . . . in his sin that he has
sinned, in them shall he die.
Hosea 14:1-4, O Israel, return unto YaHVaH thy YaH; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you
words, and turn to YaHVaH: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the
calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the
work of our hands, Ye are our Elohim: for in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I
will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.
Malachi 3:7, Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept
them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith YaHVaH of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Mark 1:15, . . . The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of YaH is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 2:17, . . . I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
I John 1:8-9, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Atonement Emphasizes Savior's Atoning Blood
Matthew 26:28, For this is My blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luke 24:46-47, . . . it behooved Messiah to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 20:28, . . . the Church of YaH, which He hath purchased with His own blood.
Romans 3:24-25, Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Messiah YaHOSHA;
Whom YaH hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood . . . for the remission [passing over] of
sins that are past, through the forbearance of YaH.
Romans 5:9, Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
I Corinthians 15:3, . . . Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace.
Ephesians 2:13-18, But now in Messiah YaHOSHA ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Messiah. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between
us . . . . For through Him we both [Israel and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
I Peter 1:18-20, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Messiah,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but
was manifest in these last times for you.
I John 1:7, . . . the blood of YaHOSHA Messiah . . . cleanseth us from all sin.
I John 2:2, And He is the propitiation for our sins . . . also for the sins of the whole world.
Revelation 1:5, . . . YaHOSHA Messiah . . . that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
Revelation 5:9, . . . for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to YaH by Thy blood . . . .
Revelation 7:14, . . . These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 12:11, And they [YaH's Church] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word
of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The Fiftieth, Jubilee Year,
Began on Atonement
Leviticus 25:8-17, And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years . . .
forty nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee [Hebrew, "liberty"] to sound on the tenth day
of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye
shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it
shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto
his family . . . ye shall not sow, neither reap . . . . Ye shall not therefore oppress one another.
Where does YaH get the authority to order a jubilee redemption for the land and the people?
Leviticus 25:23-24, The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine: for ye are strangers and
sojourners with Me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.
What are we in bondage to and what does this have to do with the Day of Atonement, and Jubilee?
Romans 7:14, For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 6:16, . . . his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness.
Isaiah 58:6, Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy
burdens, and to let the oppressed go free [others we have harmed], and that ye break every yoke?
For us to be free, something and someone else must go into bondage:
II Corinthians 10:5, . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah.
Leviticus 16:21-22, And Aaron [after atoning for himself and the people] shall lay both his hands upon
the head of the live [Azazel] goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all
their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the
hand of a fit man into the wilderness . . . unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the
wilderness.
Revelation 20:1-3, And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a
great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit . . . that he should deceive the nations no more,
till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Comment: The Day of Atonement is a time we are to free ourselves from sin and Satan, asking YaH to
mercifully cover (atone) our sins. It is also a time of great rejoicing, when Satan is put away and our sins are
covered:
Psalm 32:1-2, Blessed [happy] is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the
man unto whom YaHVaH imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Day of Atonement Reference Material
Festivals of the Jewish Year by Theodor H. Gaster (New York, 1953).
Known among the Jews as Yom Kippur, this day is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Atonement may also be
termed the Day of Purgation (Cleansing). Leviticus 16:31 describes it as "a sabbath of sabbaths." It is an
opportunity, year by year, to obtain divine forgiveness of sin, and to cleanse oneself before YaHVaH, Leviticus
16:30, restoring oneself to a state of wholeness and holiness, Leviticus 20:26 that Israel is supposed to be.
Atonement involves individual as well as collective purification.
The physical rites of purification shown in Leviticus 16, the washings, verses 4, 24, 26, 28; sacrifices,
verses 5, 6, 11, 15; fumigations, verses 12-13; sprinkling sacrificial blood, verses 14-15, 18-19; and changes of
clothes, verses 4, 23; culminated in the dispatch into the desert of the goat to whom the collective sins of
Israel had been previously transferred.
By tradition only, During the period of the Temple, (they say that) only on the Day of Atonement, could
the high priest utter the pronunciation of YHVH, instead of substituting "YaHVaH (with Adonai)." Not in Scripture.
The rigorous fast and total abstinence of work may only be broken in the case of serious illness or where
life is imperiled. The preceding evening and the whole of the day are devoted to religious services.
Fasting
From the earliest times, "afflicting the soul," Leviticus 16:29 was understood to mean fasting. Isaiah
58:3 proves this.
Four main reasons for the command to fast on the Day of Atonement:
(1)By fasting we show contrition for the wrong we have done and the good we have failed to do. It is
not mashochism. Fasting fulfills the need to make a self-sacrifice in order to demonstrate that one has repented
and not merely given lip service of sorrow for past sins. Fasting affirms a man's sincerity, and shows he knows
he deserves to be punished for his sins.
(2)Self-discipline. Repentance must be preceded by an attempt at self-discipline. The ideal person
is one who is hard on himself but indulgent towards others. Fasting on the Day of Atonement serves as a reminder
for the need of self-discipline which leads to self-improvement.
(3)Fasting is a means of focusing the mind on the spiritual.
(4)Fasting is a means of awakening compassion for others. See Isaiah 58:6-7.
Customs Connected With Atonement
Before going to the Synagogue, the father of the house blesses the children. To sons, he says, "YaH make
you as Ephraim and Manasseh," and the daughters, "YaH make you as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah."
If possible, food should not even be handled on the Day of Atonement, except to give children their meals.
Jews (some) feel that children under nine should not be allowed to fast even for a few hours. But from this age on they
should be trained to fast in gradually longer periods. It is believed that a sick person does not have to fast if
he feels strongly that to fast may endanger his life.
After Yom Kippur, Jews have a minor feast, quoting Ecclesiastes 9:7, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy,
And drink thy wine with a merry heart; for YaH now accepteth thy works."
The Reality of Sin
The Day of Atonement drives home three points, (1) that sin is real, an offense against YaH, (2) that YaH,
nonetheless pardons sin, and (3) that such pardon does not come unless man does something -- repents with fasting,
rends his heart. There are three Bible Hebrew terms for sin:
(1)Pesha means rebellion. It is the attitude of mind in which a man sets himself up as the sole judge
of his actions, recognizing neither YaH nor His law. Pesha signifies the refusal of man to consider himself
accountable to YaH for his actions.
(2)Avon comes from a root meaning "to be twisted," or "to be crooked" (compare our word, "a crook").
An example is man who starts out right, but throws everything away in an act of folly.
(3)Het comes from a root meaning "to miss," used, for instance, when an archer fails to hit the
target. Het denotes lack of character or staying power. It can also mean unwitting sin, and the careless driver,
slack teacher, overindulgent or neglectful parent, and thoughtless son, are all guilty of het.
Repentance
Teshubah, the Hebrew word for repentance, means "turning back." It involves, according to Jews, (1)
contrition for the sin committed and (2) firm resolve not to repeat it.
Day of Atonement in the Talmud (Tradition, not Scripture)
After the Ten Commandments were given to Israel on Pentecost, Moses ascended Mt. Sinai and remained there
40 days to receive the Tablets. He descended on the 17th of Tammuz and broke the Tablets because the people
worshipped the Golden Calf. For forty days Moses set up his tent beyond the camp of Israel, and the people
mourned. On the 1st of Elul (sixth month), Moses ascended the mountain to receive the Second Tablets. During
this period the Hebrews fasted daily from sunrise to sunset. On the 40th day they fasted from sunset to sunset.
This was Tishri 10. On the morning of the 10th, the Hebrews wept when Moses came down with the tablets, and he
wept when he beheld their repentance. Then YaH said, "Your repentance is accepted, and this day will remain the
Day of Atonement throughout all generations." -- Tanna Eliyahu Zuta, 4
Why are there two goats, one a sacrifice on the altar, and one a sacrifice on the rock to Azazel? The
goats represent Esau and Jacob, or the wicked and the righteous. Both were born in the same home; both were
brought up in goodness. Yet one chose to labor for YaH, and the other against YaH. "Az" means "impudent." "Azal"
means "departed." If Israel is impudent and disobedient, he shall be forced to take his departure into lands of
exile. -- Abrabanel, Ahare
Rabbi Simi gave a Yom Kippur sermon based on Hosea 14:2 and Ezekiel 36:26. Satan is compared to a large
rock in the middle of a highway where people stumbled over it, or even a rock in people's heart. YaH says, "Let
each of you break off a piece by means of repentance, and resolve not to obey it. When the Evil Impulse is
sufficiently crushed, I shall in the days-to-come remove Satan from your midst." -- Pesikta Shubah, Ruhn, page
165a
Things between thee and YaH are forgiven on Yom Kippur . . . . Satan accuses the Jews every day of the
year except on the Day of Atonement. -- Sifra to Ahare, Yoma, 20a
Satan is locked up on Yom Kippur. -- Midrash Tehillim, 27
Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years. Ezra sanctified Palestine in the 7th year of the second entrance,
when the Temple was dedicated, Ezra 6:15-16, 7:7. The first cycle began with Ezra's sanctification. The Second
Temple stood 420 years, and was destroyed, like the First, in the 421st year, at the close of a sabbatical year.
Rule of Talmud for finding sabbatical year is to add one year and divide by seven the number of years
since the destruction of the Second Temple, or add 2 for every 100 years and divide the sum by seven.
Maimonides's calculations have been accepted by most Jewish scholars.
He gives a sabbatical year as 1175 C.E., and he begins the cycle by the year following the destruction of the Temple. Another fixed year has been 1552. These show that the
destruction of the Second Temple was in a sabbatical year, 68-69 A.D., although it was not a jubilee year.
A Comparison of the Seventh and Jubilee Years
Seventh Year
1.Begins at Feast of Tabernacles Deuteronomy 31:10.
2.Land rested at the beginning of the Seventh Year for the whole year; all crops including grapes
and olives, except fruit trees, not harvested. Purpose: that the poor may eat, give a sabbath to the land, Exodus
23:10-11; Leviticus 19:23.
3.At the beginning of the year, Hebrew bondservants are released, if they so desire. They serve six
years, are released "in the seventh year," with plenty of food. If they won't be released, an aul was bored
through one of their ears, they became servants for ever, Deuteronomy 15:12-18.
4.At the end of the seventh year, all debts are released to "brothers," but not to "foreigners."
Purpose: to help the poor, Deuteronomy 15:1-11.
Jubilee, 50th Year
1.Begins on Day of Atonement, with the sound of the trumpet (after the goat ceremony is completed),
Leviticus 25:9.
2.Follows the 49th year, and like it, the land is rested, making two consecutive years the land is
rested. Purpose: to show that YaH will bless you, providing enough crops the 48th year to last for three years
until the harvest of the crops planted in the 51st year, Leviticus 25:20-22.
3.Every man to be returned to his own possession. Purpose: so we will not oppress one another,
Leviticus 25:10-17.
4.At end of 50th year, another 50-year cycle begins; the 51st year is the first year of a new seven
year cycle. See Jewish Encyclopedia, Article, "Sabbatical Year and Jubilee"
Day of Atonement: Liberty Through Fasting
After YaHOSHA Messiah returns as a conquering king, there are events that must occur before the Kingdom of
YaH can be set up. YaH must perform some unfinished business.
The tenth day of the seventh month is the fifth of YaH's seven annual Festivals, the Day of Atonement.
This festival must be fulfilled before the Millennium can commence. What does this day of fasting have to do with
the Fall Harvest?
Jubilee Year
The Day of Atonement also has a trumpet associated with it. This trumpet is sounded on the tenth day of
the seventh month in the year of Jubilee: "Then shalt thou cause the TRUMPET of the JUBILEE to sound on the tenth
day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all the land,"
Leviticus 25:9.
Liberty For Israel
The epic up-coming Jubilee will probably represent the regathering of modern Israel from the various
places on earth where they are imprisoned or in hiding, after being taken into captivity, either just before or
during the Great Tribulation. After years of horror, Israel will again be free! What a wonderful occurrence that
will be.
"Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and PROCLAIM LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants
thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return
every man unto his family," Leviticus 25:10.
First Goat: YaHVaH
Leviticus 16 is the Day of Atonement chapter. Here we find the High Priest going into the pure of Holies
before the Mercy Seat for a once a year special sin offering, Leviticus 16:2-3.
Then two goats are chosen and lots cast to determine which one of the goats will be representative of
YaHVaH (type of Messiah). This goat is to be offered as a sin offering, slaughtered as was Messiah, with the
blood brought inside the veil of the most pure place and sprinkled on the mercy seat, Leviticus 16:7-9, 15.
Second Goat: Azazel
What about the second goat, the one called "Azazel" which is translated "scapegoat" in the King James
Version? This goat is not to be killed, but rather is presented alive to YaHVaH, later to be released into the
wilderness. This in turn leads to other possible translations for azazel: "escape goat," "removed," "separated,"
Leviticus 16:8, 10.
But, there is controversy about this goat. There are two widely different views, each of which seems to
have support from the Bible.
View 1: The "scapegoat" represents Satan the Devil who will have the sins of all mankind placed on him
since he is the author and father of sin. He is then sent by an angel into the wilderness forever, Leviticus
16:20-22.
View 2: The "azazel" goat represents another aspect of YaHOSHA Messiah, the one who had all the sins of
mankind placed on Him; He had to die in order to pay the penalty of sin. Messiah carries our sins --
not the Devil.
A third view says that the first goat represents Messiahics faithful to their calling even unto death.
The second goat is symbolic of Messiahians who left their calling and had to go through the Great Tribulation.
Atonement
YaHOSHA Messiah died for our sins, and all our sins were borne by Him. This is the likely meaning of the
two goats: two aspects of Messiah. Although it might be poetic justice to place all sins on Satan's head, the
fact is that it is Messiah who will bring reconciliation with our heavenly Father.
"The goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat [azazel], shall be presented alive before YaHVaH, to
make an ATONEMENT . . ." Leviticus 16:10. It is Messiah that makes atonement with YaH.
Fasting
The Day of Atonement is the only festival of YaH which requires fasting by those observing it. No work
including preparation of food is allowed on this day, Leviticus 23:27-28.
Why is there no work? "Ye shall do NO WORK in that same day: for IT IS A DAY OF ATONEMENT, to make an
atonement for you before YaHVaH your YaH," Leviticus 23:28. One of the best ways to get close to YaH is to
"afflict your soul," Leviticus 23:27, which means to fast. David said, "I humbled [margin: afflicted] my soul
with fasting" Psalm 35:13.
Fasting on a regular basis is an excellent way to tame your human nature and get close to YaH in prayer
and study. It is only once a year that YaH names the specific day for you to fast (other fast days are on an
individual choice basis). And this is so you can be more at one with Him.
-- written by Gary Sjordalê
Atonement Quiz
Answers to the following quiz are at the end of this section.
Matching -- Day of Atonement
1.afflict one's soul
2.Day of Atonement
3.depart from right way,
to be twisted
4.Elijah
5.fail in duty, negligence,
sin of ignorance
6.YaHOSHA
7."liberty," 50th year
8.Manasseh
9.miss the mark
10.Moses
11.rebellion against YaH
12.scapegoat
__ a.wicked king who repented and fasted, II Chron. 33:11-13
__ b.pesha, Strong's #6586, Isa. 1:2, transgression
__ c.jubilee, began on Atonement, Leviticus 25:8-17
__ d.40 day Sinai fast, Ex. 34:28
__ e.to fast, Psa. 35:13, Isa. 58:3
__ f.het, Strong's #2399, Psa. 51:5
__ g.Azazel
__h Avon, Strong's #5771, iniquity, crime, depraved action, Job 31:11
__ i.Yom Kippur
__ j.40 day fast as he fled to Sinai,I Kings 19:1-8
__ k asham, Strong's #816, Lev. 4:13
__ l.40 day fast before Satan tempted him, Matthew 4:1-2
Fill in the Blanks
1."Also on the _____ day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be
an pure ___________
unto you; and ye shall _______ your _____ . . . ," Leviticus 23:27.
2." . . . I humbled my soul with _______," Psalm 35:13.
3."The sacrifices of YaH are a broken ______: a broken and a contrite _____, O YaH, Thou wilt not despise," Psalm
51:17.
4."Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of __________, to undo the heavy burdens, and to
let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every ____?" Isaiah 58:6.
5." . . . YaH resisteth the _____, but giveth grace unto the ______. Submit yourselves therefore to YaH. Resist
the _____, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to YaH, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your _____, ye
sinners; and purify your ______, ye double minded. Be ________, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned
to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. ______ yourselves in the sight of YaHVaH, and He shall ____ you up,"
James 4:6-10.
6."_______ is he whose transgression is ________, whose sin is _______. Blessed is the man unto whom YaHVaH
imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no _____," Psalm 32:1-2.
General Questions
On a separate sheet of paper, answer these questions:
1.What does the word "atonement," kippurim, mean?
2.Leviticus 16 describes the special Old Testament rites associated with the Day of Atonement. Explain what these
events and individuals represent: Aaron, pure Place, priest's garments, high priest washes himself, incense,
casting of lots, sacrificed goat, laying on of hands on the live goat, scapegoat, fit man, wilderness.
3.What two things are absolutely forbidden on the Day of Atonement? Leviticus 23:27-32.
ANSWERS
Matching -- Day of Atonement: 8a, 11b, 7c, 10d, 1e, 9f, 12g, 3h, 2i 4j, 5k, 6l
Fill in the Blanks: 1. tenth, convocation, afflict, souls; 2. fasting; 3. spirit, heart; 4. wickedness,
yoke; 5. proud, humble, devil, hands, hearts, afflicted, humble, lift; 6. Blessed, forgiven, covered, guile.
General Questions:
1. Atonement means, "to scour, cleanse thoroughly, ease, cover, hide out of sight." In other words, to expiate,
to pay the penalty of or for.
2. Aaron=type of Messiah; pure Place=throne room of Almighty in Heaven;
priest's garments=righteousness; high priest washes himself=you must cleanse yourself to be in YaH's presence
incense=prayers;
casting of lots=appeal to YaH to intervene to determine who is His; sacrificed goat=sacrifice of Messiah for our part in our sins; laying on of hands on the
live goat=sins placed on Satan's head for his part in our sins;
scapegoat=Satan the Devil; fit man=angel who binds Satan;
wilderness=bottomless pit.
3. (a) Failing to afflict oneself, (b) doing any kind of work.
This fine work was done by Richard and Shirley Nickels. We corrected the titles and Name of YaHVaH.
