Term · Bible dictionary

Atonement

Making «at-one» — the way God reconciles sinners to himself. In the Old Testament through sacrifices, and finally and fully through the death of Jesus on the cross.

To atone is to make right what is broken between God and people. The Old Testament sacrificial system, especially the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), pictured how sin had to be covered for sinners to come near to God.

Hebrews shows that all those sacrifices pointed forward to Christ. He is both the high priest and the lamb, offering «a single sacrifice for sins» that makes us «at one» with God for ever.

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Leviticus 16:30 “because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” Romans 5:11 “Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.