The Hebrew word *kaphar* (H3722), associated with atonement, is central to understanding the Day of Atonement. Scholars debate its root, with one meaning suggesting covering, hiding, or concealing, as seen in Genesis 6:14 where Noah covered the ark with pitch to make it watertight. The other root implies appeasing or pacifying an offended party, akin to paying a ransom or settlement to mitigate wrath, a concept reflected in historical practices like the Scandinavian wergild, where a fee was paid to atone for a wrong. For the Hebrews, atonement through *kaphar* meant appeasing God's justice and righteous wrath via substitutionary animal sacrifice. These sacrifices did not fully cleanse sin but symbolically covered it or set it aside, teaching the Israelites about a greater Sacrifice to come. As noted in Hebrews 10:3, such animal sacrifices served merely as reminders of sin, lacking the power to fully pay for human transgressions due to their lesser value compared to human life. Thus, *kaphar* encapsulates both the act of covering sin and the temporary appeasement of divine wrath, pointing to a deeper fulfillment beyond the ritual.

The Hebrew word behind atone is kaphar, which means to atone, to propitiate, to appease, to pacify, or to wipe clean. The root of this verb suggests the idea of covering, linking directly to the name Yom Kippur, used by the Jews for the Day of Atonement, a day dedicated to covering. Most uses of kaphar in the Old Testament are theological, describing God covering or purging sin through sacrifice. In one instance, when God instructs Noah about building the ark, He commands him to cover the ark with pitch, illustrating that covering with pitch prevented water from seeping in, vital for saving lives. Similarly, when sin is truly covered, it is hidden completely, allowing the sinner to continue living without guilt. However, most Old Testament usages of kaphar involve the theological concept of covering over or atoning for sin by using the life blood of an animal sacrifice, where a bull, goat, ram, or other sanctified animal is killed, its blood drained out, and offered to cover the sin.

The Hebrew word *kaphar* (H3722), often translated as 'atonement,' carries a primary meaning of 'to cover.' In Genesis 6:14, it is used in the context of covering the ark with pitch to prevent leaking, illustrating its basic sense of covering or protecting. However, *kaphar* encompasses a wide range of meanings depending on the context in which it appears in the Bible. It can be translated as purged, cleaned, expiated, paid for, made acceptable, hidden, placated, appeased, or canceled out. This versatility requires careful attention to the surrounding context to understand the intended application of the word. In a spiritual sense, *kaphar* often implies more than just covering; it can suggest wiping away, indicating a complete removal of sin or disharmony rather than merely concealing it. The notion of covering, as seen in the Old Testament, sometimes falls short of fully addressing the separation between God and man, leaving guilt on the conscience. By contrast, the concept of wiping away, though not explicitly used in the Old Testament, aligns with the idea of sins being entirely dealt with, no longer existing, and thus achieving a true state of cleanliness or purification. Additionally, *kaphar* is linked to the idea of appeasement, addressing the disloyalty inherent in sin that drives apart the relationship with God. This act of covering or wiping away seeks to restore harmony, to make at-one, though it does not always imply a full resolution unless the underlying cause of separation is completely removed. The varied applications of *kaphar* highlight its significance in understanding the process and result of achieving reconciliation with God.