Read through the Bible in 2 years: Leviticus 16

The Hebrew word “kaphar” (atonement) is used over a dozen times in Leviticus 16. According to Strong’s concordance, kâphar is “a primitive root (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:—appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).”

Kaphar means “to cover” like covered with pitch or covered with hair … Hence to cover one’s sins.

The first time it appears in the Bible is in Genesis 6:14, “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.”

The Lord is going to appear in the Most Holy Place in a cloud over the Mercy Seat (verse 2) so Aaron and the priests who will follow after him must be covered – with a cloud of incense and with the blood of animals. The people, too, need to have a covering – an atonement – year after year “because of all their sins”. (Leviticus 16:34)

I was reminded of these New Testament passages about covering.

“Blessed are those
whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;”

Romans 4:7 ESV

“Above all,
keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, We all need the blood of Jesus to cover our sins. I pray that when You look at me You see Jesus. I pray that You will see His life shining out of mine. My own good deeds are merely filthy rags, unable to cover my own sin. In my own flesh, I can never approach You, yet by the death of your son I have been made holy. I pray that You would use me to share this good news with others. I pray that I would love others earnestly – remembering that love covers a multitude of sins. In the name of Jesus, my atoning sacrifice, I pray. Amen