The Burnt offering: The Day of Atonement
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most significant and solemn holy days in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance, where the Israelites sought reconciliation with God for their sins. Central to the observance of this day was the burnt offering, a key component of the sacrificial system instituted by God through Moses.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for the Day of Atonement are primarily found in Leviticus 16. The chapter details the specific rituals and sacrifices that the high priest was to perform to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The burnt offering played a crucial role in these ceremonies. Leviticus 16:3-5 states, "This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to wear a holy linen tunic, and linen undergarments are to be next to his body. He is to tie a linen sash around him and put on a linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on."

The Role of the Burnt Offering

The burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, was a sacrifice that was completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing the worshiper's total dedication and surrender to God. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest offered a ram as a burnt offering for himself and another for the people (Leviticus 16:24). This act signified the complete devotion and submission of the Israelites to God's will, acknowledging His holiness and their need for purification.

Ceremonial Significance

The burnt offering on the Day of Atonement was part of a larger sacrificial system that included sin offerings and the unique ritual of the scapegoat. The high priest would first make atonement for himself and his household, then for the entire congregation of Israel. The burnt offering was integral to these rites, serving as a means of consecration and a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine forgiveness.

Symbolism and Typology

From a theological perspective, the burnt offering on the Day of Atonement foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Hebrews 9:11-12 reflects this understanding: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Observance and Legacy

The Day of Atonement, with its burnt offerings and other sacrifices, underscored the gravity of sin and the need for atonement. It was a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, where the Israelites collectively sought God's mercy and forgiveness. While the sacrificial system is no longer practiced in Judaism following the destruction of the Second Temple, Yom Kippur remains a day of profound spiritual significance, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation with God.

In Christian theology, the principles embodied in the Day of Atonement and its burnt offerings continue to resonate, pointing to the redemptive work of Christ and the call for believers to live lives of holiness and dedication to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 16:3,5
Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 29:8
But you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD for a sweet smell; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be to you without blemish:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Day of Atonement
... of his approach; but, on this one day, he lifted ... The ritual for the atonement of
the sins of the ... tent of meeting,' and next, the altar of burnt offering in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Day of Atonement
... young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering." Inferior priests ...
one, as a part of the business of the great day of atonement, except by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Leviticus
... other priests"washing, investiture, anointing, sin offering, burnt offering, with
accompanying ... by the law for the great day of atonement, with regulations ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Leviticus.
... Analysis. I. Law of Sacrifices, Chs.1-7. 1. Burnt offering, Ch.1. ... 3. Pure nation,
offering for sin on the day of atonement, Chs.16-17. 4. Marriages, Ch.18. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Separation to God.
... On the great Day of Atonement Israel's sin was confessed and put away; and
thenceforward the daily and the Sabbath worship was that of whole burnt-offering. ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... day the incense was kindled; and all day long, no ... in the line between the altar of
burnt offering, in the ... place of the Most High.' The yearly atonement for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
... that they found.' Only then could the sin-offering of atonement and the burnt-offering
of consecration ... is to seek to be perfect in the lessons of each day. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-fourth day holiness and cleansing.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... sacrifice both morning and evening, the paschal lamb, the Day of Atonement ... the other
for what we are, the peace offering, the burnt offering, these, also ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

A Reasonable Service
... present on the great day of Atonement when the ... to him this definition in every day
language means ... the Old Testament presentation of the burnt offering all of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a reasonable service.htm

Scriptural Types.
... in the book of Leviticus is into burnt-offerings, sin ... 9), and in the offerings of
the great day of atonement ... Here the sin-offering naturally held the first place ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Resources
What is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | GotQuestions.org

Burnt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Burnt

Burnt Offering

Burnt Sacrifice

The Burnt offering for Nazarites After Defilement, or at the End of Their Vow

The Burnt offering for the Healed Leper

The Burnt offering of Human Victims Execrated

The Burnt offering of the Wicked, not Accepted by God

The Burnt offering was an Atonement for Sin

The Burnt offering with Sounds of Trumpets at Feasts

The Burnt offering: Abraham Tried by the Command to offer Isaac As

The Burnt offering: After Great Mercies

The Burnt offering: Ashes of, Collected at Foot of the Altar, and Conveyed

The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Kings

The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Levites

The Burnt offering: At Consecration Priests

The Burnt offering: At Dedication of Sacred Places

The Burnt offering: At Purification of Women

The Burnt offering: Before Going to War

The Burnt offering: Blood of, Sprinkled Round About Upon the Altar

The Burnt offering: Devotedness to God

The Burnt offering: Every Morning and Evening

The Burnt offering: Every Sabbath Day

The Burnt offering: Guilt of offering, Except in the Place Appointed

The Burnt offering: Guilt of Unauthorised Persons offering

The Burnt offering: Guilt Transferred To, by Imposition of Hands

The Burnt offering: If a Bird, the Blood Was Wrung out at the Side of the Altar

The Burnt offering: Incapable of Removing Sin, and Reconciling to God

The Burnt offering: Knowledge of God Better Than

The Burnt offering: Love of God Better Than

The Burnt offering: Obedience Better Than

The Burnt offering: Offered by the Jews Before the Law

The Burnt offering: Required to be for the People at Large, Killed and Prepared by the Levites

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: A Male Without Blemish

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Entirely Burned

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Beast, by the Person Who Brought It

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Bird, by the Priest

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered by Priests Only

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered in Righteousness

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Presented at the Door of the Tabernacle

The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Voluntary

The Burnt offering: Skin of, Given to the Priests for Clothing

The Burnt offering: Specially Acceptable

The Burnt offering: The Day of Atonement

The Burnt offering: The Fat of all Peace offerings Laid On, and Consumed With

The Burnt offering: The First Day of Every Month

The Burnt offering: The Most Ancient of all Sacrifices

The Burnt offering: The Most Costly, No Adequate Tribute to God

The Burnt offering: The offering of Christ

The Burnt offering: The Seven Days of Unleavened Bread

The Burnt offering: To be offered Only to the Lord

The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Flock or Herd

The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Fowls

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24000 (10 Occurrences)

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The Burnt offering: Specially Acceptable
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