כִּפֻּרִים

From the study of Leviticus 23:27

Range of meaning

This is an abstract plural noun built on the verb kipper. In ritual texts the verb means (1) to purge or wipe clean something polluted, such as the altar, the sanctuary or a person, and (2) to ransom, settling a debt or liability with a payment (compare the related noun kofer, 'ransom', Exod 30:12; Num 35:31). Outside ritual it also means 'to appease' (Gen 32:20, literally 'I will wipe/cover his face'). The noun kippurim appears only in fixed phrases: 'day of atonements' (Lev 23:27–28; 25:9), 'silver of the atonements' (Exod 30:16), 'bull of the atonements' (Exod 29:36), 'purification offering of the atonements' (Exod 30:10; Num 29:11) and 'ram of the atonements' (Num 5:8).

Against the English

English 'atonement' was coined from 'at-one-ment', meaning reconciliation, and today usually means 'making amends' or, in Christian use, the doctrine of Christ's death. The Hebrew points more concretely to cleansing and ransom. Reconciliation is the result, not the root picture. The plural ('purgings') is flattened in almost every English version except YLT ('a day of atonements').

How it drifted

William Tyndale used 'atonement' (at-one-ment) in his 1520s–1530 translations for reconciliation, and the KJV carried it into Leviticus. Over the centuries the English word took on the content of later doctrinal debate, and that content is now read back into the Hebrew.

Used elsewhere in the period

Akkadian kuppuru, used in Mesopotamian temple-cleansing rites, means 'to wipe off, cleanse', which supports the 'purge' sense. The Septuagint renders the day hēmera exilasmou ('day of propitiation/expiation'), and the Vulgate dies expiationum ('day of expiations', plural like the Hebrew). Mishnah tractate Yoma is devoted to the day. The Dead Sea Scrolls (Pesher Habakkuk 1QpHab 11) show the community kept 'the Day of Atonement' on its own calendar, and the Wicked Priest is accused of confronting them on it.

From the study of Leviticus 25:9

Range of meaning

A plural noun from the verb כִּפֶּר (kipper). In the priestly texts kipper means to purge or wipe clean (removing impurity and sin from the sanctuary and the people), and is closely related to כֹּפֶר (kofer), a ransom payment. The plural 'kippurim' means 'purgations' or 'acts of atonement'. It appears in the name of the day and in phrases like 'the sin offering of kippurim' (Exod 30:10).

Against the English

'Atonement' is the standard English. YLT keeps the plural ('the atonements'). The Septuagint has 'the day of propitiation' (hilasmos), and the Vulgate uses propitiatio.

How it drifted

Tyndale coined 'atonement' in the 1520s ('at-one-ment', reconciliation). Today it usually means making amends for a wrong, or refers to doctrines about Christ's death. Neither one carries the ritual picture of Leviticus 16: blood used to cleanse the sanctuary's holy furniture, and a goat that carries the people's sins away into the wilderness.

Used elsewhere in the period

Lev 16 (the full rite); 23:26–32; Num 29:7–11. Milgrom (Leviticus, Anchor Bible) argues that kipper in the sacrificial texts basically means 'purge'. Others stress 'ransom' (Exod 30:12–16) or the older idea of 'cover'. Akkadian kuppuru, 'to wipe off, cleanse ritually', is the usual comparison.

From the study of Exodus 30:10

Range of meaning

This noun is formed from kipper and is always plural. The plural expresses the act or event in general: "atonement," "purgation." It appears in the festival name yom hakkippurim (Lev 23:27–28; 25:9), in "the money of atonement" (Exod 30:16), "the ram of atonement" (Num 5:8) and "the ḥaṭṭaʾt of atonement" (Num 29:11).

Against the English

KJV and YLT keep the plural "atonements". BSB and WEB say "atonement." Both are defensible. The plural is not meant as a count, so "atonement" is accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Num 29:11 separates "the ḥaṭṭaʾt of the atonements" (the Day of Atonement's special offering) from the regular purification offering, which shows the phrase was technical. In later Judaism the day is Yom Kippur, and the Mishnah tractate Yoma describes its rites.