Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th of Tishrei and considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Yom Kippur can also be translated as “the Day of Atonement,” and comes from Leviticus 23:26-29. This holiday is not a day of rejoicing. Instead, it is a day to fast in honor of  the Scripture’s command to, “afflict yourselves” (Leviticus 16:31).

The first ten days of Tishrei are known as the “High Holy Days” or “Days of Awe.” The Jewish population use this time for intensive prayer and seeking forgiveness of past sins, in preparation for Yom Kippur.

Meaning of Yom Kippur

In Hebrew, the word Yom means “day” and Kippur means “to atone by offering a substitute.” The great majority of usages of this word involve “making an atonement.” This was done by the priestly ritual of sprinkling of sacrificial blood to remove sin or defilement. The blood of a sacrificial animal was required in exchange for the blood of a worshipper, in biblical times. This was a symbolic expression of an innocent life given for a guilty life.

Origin of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)

Yom Kippur was the only day of the year when the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. This was the most sacred area of the Temple where the high priest made atonement for himself and the people. The atonement ritual can be found in the book of Leviticus, Chapter 16.

Each year, the high priest would sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering for himself and his family (Leviticus vv. 6, 11). Then, the high priest brought two male goats to the Temple. He sacrificed one goat for the sins of the people and sprinkled its blood on the altar to make atonement (v.15). After this, the high priest placed his hands on the second goat and confessed the sins of the people. The goat was then released into the wilderness (vv. 20-22). It carried away the sins of the people, which were forgiven for another year (v. 30).

The Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

The Day of Atonement was an annual reminder that perfect and permanent atonement had not yet been made. It also served as a type and shadow of the future atoning work of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest.

Unlike the biblical high priest, Jesus Christ did not need to make atonement for Himself because He was sinless. Instead, He made atonement for our sins by shedding His own blood on the cross. As a result, Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, accomplished eternal redemption for all those who believe in Him (Hebrews 9-10).

Symbolism of the Two Goats

Jesus Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross is also seen in the two goats. To explain, the blood of the first goat was sprinkled on the altar. This ritually appeased the wrath of God for another year. Then, the second goat, was used as a scapegoat to carry away the sins of the people into the wilderness. In like manner, Jesus Christ, on our behalf, entered heaven with His blood as a sin offering before the Father:

“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption,” (Hebrews 9:12, ESV).

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified,” (Hebrews 10:11-14, ESV).

Furthermore, the high priest carried the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering. But, the bodies were burned outside the camp. In like manner, Jesus was crucified outside of Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha. He submitted to this suffering to make the people holy through his own blood (Hebrews 13:11-12, NIV). Now, all those who believe in Christ, are made justified or declared, “not guilty.”

Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Christianity

We can celebrate Yom Kippur, as Christians, by rejoicing in the knowledge that Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled and completed the sacrificial system. He did this by becoming both Priest and Sacrifice. As a result, through Christ, we are now reconciled to God and have acquired eternal redemption through His blood. 

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified,” (Hebrews 10:11-14, ESV).

Also in the month of Tishrei: Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

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