The Atonement Part 3: The Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16


The “Sin” offering goat


Both goats are called a sin/purification/decontamination offering
and the reason is that is that the lots have not been cast yet
over these two. So, since we don't know yet which ones going to
be the actual sin offering, they’re both referred to that way. We
don't know which one’s going to be for the Lord, which one was to
be for azazel. A better way to translate “Atonement” here is to
make expiation with it, or to make a purging with it. The whole
notion of the sin offering is decontamination and purification


Propitiation or Expiation (KPR language)


Both words presuppose that there is a barrier that must be
removed to overcome sin. We need to look to see what is acted
upon in order to translate KPR correctly. As we noted atonement
language means to cover or purge but is the issue with humans,
God, or sin?


Propitiation: means that the barrier lies within
God himself; thus, it is usually interpreted as an action to
satisfy divine wrath against sinners. This was the pagan concept
of sacrifice, but Christians who hold to this say that God’s
justice must be exercised, and sin must be paid for in order to
receive forgiveness and the aversion of God’s wrath.


Expiation: means that the barrier lies outside
of God, within humankind and/or a stain they leave on the world
(sacred space), it is often interpreted as an action aimed at
removing sin. To cover, wipe, or to purge sin.


Mercy Seat Translation-This is a common
translation, but this is not a good translation. More literally,
if atonement (kapper) means to purge then kapporeth (noun) should
be the place of purging. In other words, we would really
focus on the location not the result, because calling it
the mercy seat is sort of reading the theological result into the
word. The place is the cover of the Ark in the Holy of Holies
which is the footstool of God’s throne. This is a throne room
scene.


The Scapegoat or the goat for azazel. 3 views on
what happens in this action:


1. The propitiation view (punishment). The goat bears the sin and
wrath.


2. The azazel refers to the location (the desert) which
theologically if the place where sin and evil lives or belongs
(not in God’s camp)


3. Azazel is a proper name. This was the leader of the fallen
angels/demons in 2nd temple Judaism. The goat transports the sin
to Azazel.


Conclusions on the Day of Atonement


The priest is stripped of all his garb and must do this
ritual in a plain fashion

Goat 1- the purification offering, is to cleanse the temple
objects. Blood is not applied to anyone.

The scapegoat is sent to Azazel. So, sin, the forces of
death, are removed from the camp. This connects a little to last
week’s episode in that God is rescuing his people from the forces
of death.

Neither of these goats are punished. It’s about expelling or
purging God’s space (Expiation). The first goat (the one that
dies) is more about cleaning the throne room of the stain of sin.
The scapegoat doesn’t get killed.


This is all about resetting sacred space (getting back
to Eden)