What is the meaning of atonement?

Answer

Several significant words are utilized in the Bible to describe how sinners reconcile with God. Terms like salvation, justification, forgiveness, and adoption are commonly used and widely understood by many, as they are also used outside theological contexts. However, the term atonement holds equal importance but may be less familiar to most individuals as it is predominantly theological. A common interpretation of atonement is “at-one-ment,” signifying the restoration of unity with God after being estranged by sin. Fundamentally, this definition is accurate. Initially, atonement was not a theological term but rather a general term denoting “reconciliation” applicable to any two parties. Gradually, it acquired a more specialized theological connotation.

The term “atone,” when translated, literally means “to cover.” In the Old Testament, it evolved to signify “to remove.” Presently, the term “cover” can still imply “to remove.” For example, when someone says, “I’ll give you $20 to cover the bill,” it implies settling the debt rather than merely concealing or disregarding it.

The term atonement is found over 100 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the Pentateuch, often associated with sacrifices, whether blood offerings or monetary payments. The concept revolves around cleansing a person or object tainted by sin or impurity. Through a sacrifice or payment, atonement is achieved, rendering the person or object holy and acceptable.

In Mosaic law, atonement was also necessary for purifying objects. For instance, one had to make atonement for a house cleared of mold «but he shall let go the living bird out of the cit.

…y into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean.”, (Leviticus 14:53).

More often, the concept of atonement involves cleansing a person who has sinned or become defiled in some way: for a woman after childbirth “And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”, (Leviticus 12:8), a leper who had been healed (Leviticus 14:18-19), or a Nazirite who had broken his vows, even accidentally “and the priest shall offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.”, (Numbers 6:11). The most common uses of atonement involve sacrifices for an individual sinner (Numbers 5:7-9), a group such as the Levites before they perform temple services “And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.”, (Numbers 8:12), and even the nation as a whole. Leviticus 16 explains the Day of Atonement when the sins of the whole nation are dealt with by a sacrifice.

The term atonement is not used in the New Testament; however, the concept is present. In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul states that a central truth of the gospel is thAt Christ’s death, He died “for our sins.” Similarly, Galatians 1:4 states that Christ offered Himself “for our sins.” Prior to Christ’s death, our sins caused a separation from God. Following His sacrifice for our sins, we are able to be reconciled with God. Just as during the Day of Atonement the sins of the nation were placed on the sacrifice (Leviticus 16), our sins were transferred to Christ, and He “bore our sins in his body on the cross” «who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. », (1 Peter 2:24).

Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can be saved, justified, forgiven, and adopted into God’s family. No single word can fully capture all the blessings we receive in Christ. Although the term atonement is not explicitly used in the New Testament, it is evident that the concept of atonement in the Old Testament serves as the foundation for Christ’s sacrificial offering for sinners.