the atonement
Exodus 29:33
29:33 the atonement. This is the first use of “atonement” (Hebrew kaphar) in the Bible, although a similar word, kopher, is used for the “pitch” used to seal Noah’s ark. The basic meaning is “covering” in both cases. That is, the sacrifices described here and elsewhere could not really atone for sin, in the modern use of the word, but merely provide a temporary “covering” until the perfect Sacrifice would come in Christ. The English word, meaning “the act of reconciling,” or making “at one,” is not really the meaning of the Hebrew word.