The Sacrificial Blood Will Make Atonement for Sin

Blood played an important role in the sacrificial worship of ancient Israel. Leviticus 16 describes how the high priest used sacrificial blood during the Day of Atonement to purify the sanctuary from the uncleanness and transgressions of the people. The blood of the designated goat was brought into the Most Holy Place and sprinkled according to the prescribed ritual.

Leviticus 17:11 explains the significance of blood by associating it with the life of the creature and with the atoning purpose God assigned to it upon the altar. These instructions established an important relationship between life, sacrifice, purification, and reconciliation with God.

In the Levitical sacrificial system, blood represented the life of the animal and served an appointed ritual purpose. Its use in the sanctuary was associated with purification and atonement. The rituals of Leviticus 16 addressed the effects of Israel's sins and impurities upon the sanctuary and the covenant community.

The text does not teach that blood possesses independent magical power. Its significance arises from the role God assigned to it within the sacrificial system.

Leviticus 17 also prohibits the ordinary consumption of blood because of its association with life.

Christian interpretation understands the sacrificial use of blood as anticipating the saving significance of Jesus' death. The New Testament describes Christ as offering His own life rather than the blood of sacrificial animals. His sacrifice is understood to accomplish reconciliation and cleansing from sin in a manner that the earlier sacrifices could only anticipate.

The relationship between blood and life is especially significant because Jesus voluntarily gives His life for others. The sacrificial system therefore provides a foundation for understanding the Christian doctrine of atonement.

Hebrews 9:11-14 contrasts the blood of goats and calves with the blood of Christ, through which He obtains eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:22 explains the importance of blood within the sacrificial system and connects forgiveness with the shedding of blood. Romans 3:25 presents Christ's death in language associated with atonement.

First John 1:7 declares that the blood of Jesus cleanses believers from sin. Christians understand these passages as identifying the death of Jesus as the decisive sacrifice through which forgiveness and reconciliation are accomplished.

Jewish interpretation understands the sacrificial blood rituals within the laws governing atonement and purification. The blood represents life and has a sacred function when used according to the commandments governing sacrifice. Jewish teaching also places great importance upon repentance, prayer, restitution, and divine mercy in the process of seeking forgiveness.

Since the destruction of the Second Temple, Jewish religious life has continued without animal sacrifices, while preserving the observance of Yom Kippur and its emphasis upon repentance and reconciliation.

Leviticus 16:15-19 and 17:11 are related passages but occur in different legal contexts.

The first describes blood used in the purification of the sanctuary. The second explains the sacred significance of blood more generally.

Hebrews develops a Christian theological interpretation of these practices, but Leviticus itself does not explicitly predict the death of Jesus.

The statement in Hebrews 9:22 that forgiveness generally involves the shedding of blood should be understood within its sacrificial context. The Old Testament also describes circumstances in which forgiveness is associated with repentance and other prescribed means.

Principal New Testament references: Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:11-22; 1 John 1:7.