Day Of Atonement

 

 Leviticus 23:26-32

²⁶ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

²⁷Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.

²⁸ And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.

²⁹ For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

³⁰And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.

³¹ Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

³² It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

See Also Leviticus 16:29-34

The tenth day of the seventh month is a solemn day of repentance, fasting, prayer & worship. 

It was the only day of the year when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle or Temple to make atonement for the sins of Israel.

Holy Convocation (Sacred Assembly) – A time for gathering in worship, prayer, and reflection. Elohim calls His people together to honor Him.

Afflict Your Souls 

(Fasting & Repentance)

• The phrase “afflict your souls” refers to fasting, mourning, and humbling oneself before Elohim (Psalm 35:13, Isaiah 58:3).

• It was a day of deep reflection on sin and a plea for Elohim’s mercy.

• Unlike other feasts that were joyful, this was a day of solemnity and reverence.

Offerings to YeHoVaH – In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were given as burnt offerings.

We as believers acknowledge Yeshua as the perfect atonement for sin 

(Hebrews 9:12). 

Today, since Yeshua has fulfilled the sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:10-12), we offer spiritual sacrifices such as praise, worship, thanksgiving, and repentance (Hebrews 13:15).

A Sabbath (Rest Day) – It is a commanded Sabbath (No ordinary or servile work). 

According to scripture, Atonement is on the tenth day of the seventh month. But the Sabbath begins on the ninth day of the seventh month at even & ends on the tenth day at even. So the Sabbath begins the evening before Atonement & ends on the evening of the tenth day along with Atonement.

Today, we can afflict our souls through fasting, prayer, and sincere repentance, humbling ourselves before Elohim as instructed in Leviticus (Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:27). 

While physical burnt offerings are no longer practiced, we can offer a “sacrifice made by fire” through the fire of the Holy Spirit—offering our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) by pursuing holiness, worship, and acts of righteousness. 

True atonement comes through a contrite heart and devotion to Elohim, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.