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What the Bible Says About Atonement, Under the Law

Overview

The Bible addresses atonement, under the law across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Exodus and Romans. Closely related themes include Atonement, Offerings, Ignorance and Sacrifices. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Aaron, Eleazar and Phinehas.

Key Bible verses about atonement, under the law

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 29:31

And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

Exodus 29:32

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:33

And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

Exodus 32:30

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

Exodus 32:31

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

Exodus 32:32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Exodus 32:33

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Exodus 32:34

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

Leviticus

Leviticus 4:20

And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.

Leviticus 4:21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.

Leviticus 4:22

When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

Leviticus 4:23

Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:

Leviticus 4:24

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:25

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.

Leviticus 4:26

And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:27

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; any one: Heb. any soul common: Heb. people of the land

Leviticus 4:28

Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Leviticus 4:29

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.

Leviticus 4:30

And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.

Leviticus 4:31

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:32

And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

Leviticus 4:33

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.

Leviticus 4:34

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:

Leviticus 4:35

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

People in the Bible and atonement, under the law

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying atonement, under the law for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 29:31, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Leviticus, Exodus and Romans each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Aaron and Eleazar and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Atonement, Offerings, Ignorance and Sacrifices.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about atonement, under the law?

The Bible addresses atonement, under the law across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Exodus and Romans. Closely related themes include Atonement, Offerings, Ignorance and Sacrifices. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Aaron, Eleazar and Phinehas.

How many Bible verses are about atonement, under the law?

The Bible references atonement, under the law in 34 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention atonement, under the law?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 29:31: “And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with atonement, under the law?

Moses, Aaron, Eleazar, Phinehas and Jesus.

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