Exploring Leviticus: Kaphar to Hilaskomai

Join us as we conclude our study of atonement in Leviticus by tracing it through the Greek of the Septuagint and into the Greek New Testament.

 

Key terms:

Hebrew:

kaphar (rendered as "make atonement" in most English translations of the Old Testament)

Greek:

exilaskomai (the intensified form of hilaskomai used in the Septuagint for kaphar)

hilaskomai (a less intense word rarely used in the Septuagint, but meant something like pardoning when it did appear. Was seemingly used more strongly like exilaskomai/kaphar by New Testament authors)

hilasterion, hilasmos (noun related to hilaskomai that appear in Romans, Hebrews, and 1 John)

 

Key passages:

Luke 18:13

Hebrews 2:17

Romans 3:25

1 John 2:2, 4:10

 

Corrected errata:

Peri, rather than anti, is the Greek preposition typically used by the Septuagint as for in the phrase "make atonement for..."