Yom Kippur
What is This Feast?
The Day of Atonement is the appointed annual occasion on which the high priest entered the Most Holy Place according to Yehovah’s instructions. Blood offerings and the sending away of the live goat addressed purification and the bearing away of Israel’s iniquities (Leviticus 16).
Yehovah’s command is not presented as a day of entertainment. It is a solemn assembly characterized by self-humbling, complete rest, and recognition of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of His dwelling place.
Biblical Origins
Leviticus 16 lays out Yehovah’s instructions to Aaron after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. The high priest was to wash, wear designated linen garments, bring the prescribed offerings, and make atonement for the sanctuary, priests, and people.
Leviticus 23:26-32 declares the tenth day of the seventh month a holy convocation, commands the people to afflict or humble themselves, and forbids work. Numbers 29:7-11 details additional offerings.
Biblical Observance
Yom Kippur is the 10th day of the 7th biblical month. In the Hebrew Torah (Lev. 23:27-28) this day is called Yom HaKippurim (in the plural), which literally means Day of “coverings”. The original observance involved priestly atonement rituals, the two goats, purification of the sanctuary, and a day of humbling and rest for the assembly (Leviticus 16:5-34; Leviticus 23:27-32). “Afflict yourselves” or “deny ourselves” is traditionally understood as fasting, however, the Torah text here does not list a full detailed fasting regimen.
Modern practices of fasting, confession, prayer, and quiet reflection may express repentance, but should be distinguished from the high-priestly offerings Yehovah prescribed.
Most people who observe Yom Kippur do not eat or drink from sunset to sunset. The point of fasting is to help us focus on things that are more important than our body’s desire for food. Our relationship with our Creator is the most important in our lives.
Yeshua and the Feast
Hebrews presents Yeshua as the great High Priest who enters the heavenly holy place through His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14, 24-28). His sacrifice is described as once for all, in contrast to repeated earthly offerings (Hebrews 10:1-14).
Yeshua’s priestly work provides the basis for drawing near to Yehovah with a cleansed conscience and persevering in faithfulness (Hebrews 10:19-23).
Yeshua fulfilled the Spring Feasts of the LORD at his first coming; he will fulfill the Fall Feasts of the LORD — including Yom Kippur — at his second coming.
Prophetic Significance
Yom Kippur reveals the need for Yehovah to remove sin and restore holiness to His people. Hebrews explains the earthly sanctuary ministry as a pattern that finds deeper fulfillment in Messiah’s once-for-all sacrifice and heavenly intercession.
The Day also directs attention toward the full restoration of Yehovah’s people. Its prophetic significance is grounded in atonement, purification, and reconciliation; detailed end-time timetables sometimes associated with this Day should be identified as interpretations rather than explicit requirements of the Torah.
Yom Kippur marks the end of Yehovah’s wrath upon the earth. The righteous will have been gathered to Messiah and are saved from this wrath. Once the Almighty’s wrath is ended, it will be time for the wedding feast of Messiah and his people (the Feast of Sukkot).
Key Scriptures
- Leviticus 16:1-34 — Yehovah prescribes the annual priestly service, cleansing of the sanctuary, and removal of iniquity.
- Leviticus 23:26-32 — The tenth day of the seventh month is appointed for holy assembly, humbling, and Sabbath rest.
- Numbers 29:7-11 — The appointed Day includes prescribed offerings and a command to humble oneself.
- Psalm 51:1-17 — The psalm models confession, a repentant heart, and dependence on Yehovah’s mercy.
- Isaiah 58:3-9 — Yehovah rebukes hollow fasting and calls for justice, mercy, and righteousness.
- Hebrews 4:14-16 — Yeshua is the great High Priest through whom believers draw near for mercy.
- Hebrews 9:7-14 — The former sanctuary service is contrasted with Messiah’s high-priestly work and cleansing.
- Hebrews 9:24-28 — Messiah appears in the heavenly presence of God and offers Himself once to bear sins.
- Hebrews 10:1-14 — Yeshua’s once-for-all sacrifice is presented as the decisive offering for sin.
- 1 John 2:1-2 — Yeshua is identified as advocate and atoning sacrifice for sin.