The Meaning of Yom Kippur (Day of Covering)

What is the point of Yom Kippur for believers in the Messiah today? Do we still need this Biblical holiday in light of the Messiah's sacrifice? Yom Kippur is often called the Day of Atonement, and that's caused many believers to think that this holiday is outdated, because the Messiah has already atoned for our sins. But there is a more accurate translation of Yom Kippur that will help us to better understand the importance of this time for believers today.

The root of kippur is kapar (Strong's 3722), which means covering. Yom Kippur is the Day of Covering. Atonement is another word entirely, with different etymological roots.

The Bible does not refer to Yom Kippur as the Day of Atonement. Atonement means, "to stand as an equivalent, satisfaction, to make amends, or to procure reconciliation." That means that this would be a one-time event, like the way the death of the Messiah procured reconciliation. Did the day of Yom Kippur ever provide this sort of reconciliation? It did not.

Yom Kippur provides covering, not atonement. It is a limited, conditional reprieve. If it provided all-encompassing reconciliation to YHWH it wouldn't need to be done year after year.

Scripture does not teach that the blood of bulls and goats brings atonement or brought atonement before the Messiah. The Bible does not say that animals were sacrificed to be punished in our place. While the Levitical priesthood pointed to the work of the Messiah, it's work was ultimately very different than what the Messiah accomplished.

The root of kippur, kapar is spelled with a qof, peh, and resh. Their meanings in Paleo Hebrew:

Qof  q = open hand

Peh   p = open mouth

Resh r = head of a person

Or when you put them together, "The open hand covering the mouth of the accuser." This is what Yom Kippur is all about!

Yom Kippur is the day when YHWH stretches out his hand to cover the accusations against us. This is absolutely something we should participate in. While our sins are atoned for in the Messiah, we still live with their consequences. YHWH graciously covers us from accusation and condemnation.

Yom Kippur accomplishes covering, not atonement. YHWH commands us to keep this holy day in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29. There is no instruction from the Messiah or Paul or anyone else in the New Testament to discontinue it. Celebrating Yom Kippur is an outward expression of our inward repentance and it enables YHWH to cover the accusations against us.

Only in the Messiah is a person fully reconciled, but Yom Kippur brings the opportunity to have the accusations against us be silenced. Don't miss out on the chance to take part in this Biblical holiday!

More on Yom Kippur:
Honoring Yom Kippur as a Believer in Messiah
What You Need to Know About Yom Kippur

Ephesians 1:7 Printable for Yom Kippur