Question

The Old Testament describes the "Day of Atonement" in Leviticus 16. Atonement means __________.

a) Penance
b) Reconciliation
c) Expiation
d) Purification

Answer 1

Atonement, specifically in the context of the Day of Atonement from the Old Testament, means 'expiation,' which is the act of making amends for wrongdoings or sins.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "Day of Atonement" described in Leviticus 16 of the Old Testament relates primarily to the concept of expiation, which is the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing. This day is the holiest in the Jewish calendar and involves a series of rituals intended to remove the sins of the people. The correct answer to the question "Atonement means __________." would be (c) Expiation, since it reflects the idea of cleansing from sins. While penance, reconciliation, and purification are related concepts, expiation is the term that specifically encapsulates the essence of the Day of Atonement—to atone for the sins and seek God's forgiveness.

Answer 2

The term 'atonement' in the context of the Day of Atonement described in Leviticus 16 refers to expiation, which means making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16 of the Old Testament, is a day for atonement. The term 'atonement' in this context is best understood as option c) Expiation. This specific day was the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Israelites, where they cleansed themselves of their sins to restore their relationship with God. It involved various rituals and offerings, including a scapegoat being sent into the wilderness as a symbol of the community's sins being carried away. Atonement in religious practices often includes elements of penance, reconciliation, expiation, and purification, but in the context of the Day of Atonement, expiation—the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing—most closely captures the essence of the rituals described in Leviticus 16.x