Day of Atonement

When

The tenth day of the seventh month of the Israelite calendar.

Lev 23:26-28
26 The LORD said to Moses, 27 "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. 28 Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.
(from New International Version)

Meaning

The Atonement was to do with "covering".

There was a "covering" of pitch over the ark of Noah. It was a protection from the floods.

Gen 6:14
So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.
(from New International Version)

There was a "covering" of pure gold over the ark of the Testimony (or covenant).

Ex 25:17
"Make an atonement cover of pure gold--two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
(from New International Version)

Ex 26:34
Put the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.
(from New International Version)

The Day of Atonement was the day when the sins of the whole nation of Israel were covered.

The High Priest

This was the only day the high priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, which was a special place set apart in the Tabernacle.

Lev 16:2
The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else . . .
(from New International Version)

The Two Goats

As part of the ceremonies that day two live goats were brought to the high priest, and lots were cast.

Lev 16:7-8
7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.
(from New International Version)
 

Of The Two Goats - one for the Lord

This was sacrificed. It's blood was sprinkled upon the atonement cover of the ark of the Covenant.

Lev 16:9
Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
(from New International Version)

Lev 16:15-16
15 "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain . . . : He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. 16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites,
(from New International Version)
 

Of The Two Goats - the scapegoat

This goat had the sins and rebellion of Israel confessed over its head. It was then taken away into the wilderness and set free.

Lev 16:20-22
20 "When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
(from New International Version)

created 31dec06