A good deal of discussion has occurred over the meaning of the word, ATONEMENT:a word
to be found only in the Old Testament,* though the thought connected with the word is amply set
forth in the New Testament. Indeed, it can be truly said that only the word occurs in the Old
Testament but not the thing itself. That could not be known in connection with Jewish sacrifices,
which could never put away sin. Atonement itself is found only in the New Testament, for it is
known only in the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God on Calvary’s cross.

*The English word "atonement" occurs In one passage In the New Testament:Rom. 5:11.
Reconciliation, is the proper rendering in English of the Greek word here.

A great deal of talk has been made out of the meaning of the English word, AT-ONE-MENT,
treating it as no more than two parties coming to an agreement. If the English word were the exact
translation of the Hebrew word employed, then the meaning of the English
word_ATONEMENT_would be significant. As a matter of fact, this not being the case, we must
fix our attention on the meaning of the Hebrew word translated atonement in our Bible. The
Hebrew word employed is Kaphar, which means "to cover." It is only by the death of Christ, by
His atoning blood, that sin is covered and its consequences averted. So we read, "Blessed is he
whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." [Hebrew, Kasah] (Psa. 32:1). "Thou hast
forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered [Hebrew, Kasah] all their sin" (Psa. 85:2).
Kaphar and Kasah both mean "to cover," "It is the blood that maketh an atonement [Hebrew,
kaphar] for the soul" (Lev. 17:11). How beautifully the New Testament answers to all this, "The
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7).

Our first parents were covered by coats of skins, procured by the death of innocent victims, by
blood-shedding, typical of redemption. Noah’s ark was covered by pitch within and without, so
that it passed safely through the waters of judgment. The children of Israel were covered in their
tents when Balaam looked upon them, and, bidden to curse, could only bless_typical of the result
of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, when the believer is looked upon as blessed of God, which
blessing is forever his. God can be and is righteous in blessing the believing sinner. Let nothing
weaken our conception of the grand atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ.

FRAGMENT
"Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every
weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us,
looking steadfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith:who, in view of the joy lying before
him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne
of God. For consider well him who endured so great contradiction from sinners against himself,
that ye be not weary, fainting in your minds." (Heb. 12:1-3, J.N.D. trans.).