From the moment of Adam's and Eve's first sins, mankind was separated from his divine Creator, and the friendly relationship that existed between them was destroyed. However, long before the creation took place, in anticipation of mankind's sinful ways, God had instituted a means to satisfy the righteous demands of His law and restore the favorable relationship, without which there could be no legal provision for their salvation from an inevitable judgment of death. Focusing on the concept of propitiation, the term hilasterion (Strong's 2435) is significant in understanding God's grace and mercy. The author of Hebrews uses hilasterion to refer to the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, known as the Mercy Seat of God. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest carried the blood of the sacrifice into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the Mercy Seat with it, representing the original manner of atonement or propitiation in the Old Testament. In this context, hilasterion is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term kapporeth, which means covering and is used exclusively for the mercy seat. In its only other biblical usage, the apostle Paul employs hilasterion in Romans 3:25 as propitiation, referring to Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice and our reconciliation by His blood.

The Greek word *hilasterion* (G2435) expresses the place of propitiation, specifically referring to the mercy seat. In the Old Testament, the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies became a place of propitiation through sacrifice. Now, the blood-sprinkled body of Christ has become the Mercy Seat for humanity once and for all, rendering Old Testament sacrifices unnecessary. This Mercy Seat is a continual throne of grace, transforming what could be an awful judgment throne into an altar of infinite mercy for the faithful.

The Greek word *hilasterion* (G2435), translated as propitiation, expresses the place of propitiation and is specifically tied to the concept of the Mercy Seat. In the Old Testament, the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies served as a type of propitiation through animal sacrifices. This term signifies a location where atonement was made, highlighting how Christ's sacrifice transforms what could be a throne of judgment into a continual throne of grace and infinite mercy for the faithful. Through His atoning work, Christ embodies this place of propitiation, removing the barrier of sin and making fellowship with the Father possible.