Dr. Couch, I understand the word "Atonement" is not used in the NT. Is this correct?
ANSWER: The word is used in the KJV but this is incorrect. The word is used in the OT in many places. In Hebrew the word is "kipper" meaning "to tent, to pitch a tent, spread over, put a cover over." God covers the sins of Israel until Christ comes in order to complete the work of redemption. Our English word "to cover" comes from this word. Sometimes it is translated "reconciliation."
The Day of Atonement comes in the Fall. God forgave for another year Israel's sins. The word is first used in Exodus 29:36. Aaron was to offer a sacrifice as an atonement for a sin offering and he was to purify the altar and make it holy, "consecrate" it. The altar was to be seen as holy because upon it the animal sacrifice was to be offered. The offering represented the death of Christ for the sins of Israel. But of course, they did not see this at that time! To make an atonement here is in the Piel Intensive form and could be translated "For a sin offering, Aaron shall distinctly (intensely) make a 'covering, atonement' for the altar and make it holy ..."
The Jewish people were not to simply make a covering with little thought about it. This was a very important issue with God, Aaron, and Moses!
There is a grammatical surprise in the way "kippur" (atonement) is used in the OT. It is almost always used in what is called the Piel verb form. This makes the action very intense and definite. "An atonement, reconciliation was definitely made ..."
The Lord is very serious about an atonement, covering being carried out. This is an important subject with Him. If Israel's sins as a nation, or as an individual were not covered, God could not bless nor deal with them.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)
