Meaning of Kafar – “Atonement”

Tim Hegg looks at the Hebrew word “kafar” and what it means. Normally translated “to cover, conceal,” by English translations when talking about God’s dealing with our sin, Hegg shows evidence that this word should more rightly be translated to “wipe away.” Hegg shows that the commonly held perspective, that “atonement” provided a  temporary covering of sin, is false. But rather, this word actually carries the sense “to wipe away completely.”

Yom Kippur: You Shall Humble Your Souls

At the very first, when God gave the Yom Kippur commandments to Moses, He declared: This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work…

Yom Kippur: Gods Way of Atonement

The Torah parashah chosen for reading on Yom Kippur contains the instructions for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). In this article, Tim Hegg looks at the commands given within the temple service. What does this tell us about Yeshua and His work on the cross? As a result, Hegg focuses on Yeshua’s continuing work in the heavenly realm on our behalf…

Yom Kippur and The Messianic Believer

In this article, Tim Hegg looks at the festival of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The focus of this paper is to see how this festival is so rich in meaning for believers. As a result, Hegg shows this festival to be centered around Yeshua…

Meaning of Kafar (to Wipe Away): Some Thoughts

Tim Hegg looks at the Hebrew word “kefar” and what it means. Normally translated “to cover, conceal,” by English translations when talking about God’s dealing with our sin, Hegg shows evidence that this word should more rightly be translated to “wipe away.”

Preparing for Yom Kippur

Hegg shows that the traditional perspective of the “days of awe” is not what is taught in the Bible itself, but that right-standing with God is a matter of His grace and not something the sinner can earn through what rabbinic Judaism considers “proper repentance.” Hegg shows that true repentance is an essential aspect of a life marked by saving faith, and such repentance is itself a gift from God.

Our Messianic Faith and Yom Kippur

The day of Yom Kippur comes to us with the traditions of somber reflections and introspection. The divine injunction to “humble your soul” (Lev 23:27, 29, 32; Num 29:7) on this day teaches us that this appointed time, more than any of the other mo’edim, is a time to stop and ponder where we each need to seek repentance, restoration, and correction before the Lord and with our fellow man. It is a time to make an honest evaluation of our own progress in sanctification—in becoming more and more like our Messiah, Yeshua. Such an evaluation is healthy and proper, even as Paul admonished the Corinthians…