Expiation* — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Atonement, purification, or removal of sin or its guilt. The term occurs in some English translations (such as asv, erv) for “reconciliation” (Heb 2:17) or “propitiation” (Rom 3:25; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10). “Expiation” also appears in some English translations of some OT passages (Nm 35:33; Dt 32:43; 1 Sm 3:14; Is 27:9). The word does not appear in modern Bible translations.

Show passage in OET: HEB 2:17

OET-RV HEB 2:17

17 That’s why he had to be just like his brothers and sisters, so that he could become the merciful and faithful chief priest representing God, in order to pay the price for the people’s sins.

OET-LV HEB 2:17

17 Whence he _was _ought in all things to _his brothers to _be _likened, in _order _that a_merciful he _may _become and faithful chief _priest in _the things for the god, in _order that to _be _being _made _atonement the sins of _the people.

Show passage in OET: ROM 3:25

OET-RV ROM 3:25

25 who God placed on the altar as a sacrifice for sin. This happens through faith in his blood, which was a sign of his sinlessness.
¶ (God hasn’t yet judged those who sinned in the past,

OET-LV ROM 3:25

25 whom set _forth the god as_an_atonement, through the faith in the of _him blood, for a_sign of _the righteousness of _him, because _of the forbearance of _the having _previously _happened sins

Show passage in OET: JN1 2:2

OET-RV JN1 2:2

2 and it’s him who is the atonement for our sins—not just our sins, but also the sins of the entire world.

OET-LV JN1 2:2

2 and he is the_atonement for the sins of _us, and not for the our sins only, but also for all the world.

Show passage in OET: JN1 4:10

OET-RV JN1 4:10

10 So this is real love, not us loving God, but God loving us and sending his son to be the sacrifice to clear us of the sentence from our sins.

OET-LV JN1 4:10

10 In this is the love, not that we have _loved the god, but that he loved us, and sent _out the son of _him, an_atonement for the sins of _us.

Show passage in OET: NUM 35:33

OET-RV NUM 35:33

33 You mustn’t profane the land that you’re all going to by tolerating murder, because human blood pollutes the ground, and you all can’t restore the land with any sacrifice—only by the blood of the one who shed someone else’s blood.

OET-LV NUM 35:33

33 And_not you(pl)_will _pollute DOM the_earth/land which you(pl) are_in_it if/because (the)_blood it it _pollutes DOM the_earth/land and_for_land not it _will _be _atoned to_blood which it _was _shed in_it if/because (if) by_the _blood _of the_one _who_shed _it.

Show passage in OET: DEU 32:43

OET-RV DEU 32:43

43 You nations, need to appreciate his people,
⇔ because he’ll avenge the blood of his servants,
⇔ and he’ll return vengeance onto his enemies,
⇔ and then he’ll forgive his country—his people.”

OET-LV DEU 32:43

43 Make _shout _for _joy Oh _nations people _of_his if/because the _blood _of his _servants _of_his he _will _avenge and_vengeance he _will _return to_foes _of_his and_he _will _make _atonement _for land _of_his people _of_his.

Show passage in OET: SA1 3:14

OET-RV SA1 3:14

14 That’s why I’ve promised Eli’s family that their disobedience can never be forgiven by means of sacrifices or offerings.

OET-LV SA1 3:14

14 And_therefore I _swear to_the _house _of ˊĒlī if the _iniquity _of the _house _of ˊĒlī it _will _be _atoned _for by_sacrifice and_by_an _offering until perpetuity.

Show passage in OET: ISA 27:9

OET-RV ISA 27:9

9 So Ya’akov’s (Jacob’s) disobedience will be made right again by that,
⇔ and this is all the fruit of the removal of his sin:
⇔ when he’ll make all the altar stones like pulverised pieces of chalk.
⇔ No Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing,

OET-LV ISA 27:9

9 For_so/thus/hence by_this the _iniquity _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ it _will _be _atoned _for and_this is_all _of the _fruit _of the _removing its _sin _of_his when_makes_he all _of the_stones _of the_altar like_stones _of chalk pulverised not ʼAshērāh _poles and_incense _altars they _will _stand.

Jump to OET HEB 2:17 section.

Jump to OET ROM 3:25 section.

Jump to OET JN1 2:2 section.

Jump to OET JN1 4:10 section.

Jump to OET NUM 35:33 section.

Jump to OET DEU 32:43 section.

Jump to OET SA1 3:14 section.

Jump to OET ISA 27:9 section.

The Hebrew family of words translated by “expiation” speaks fundamentally of a solution for sin, and the most common association is with the idea of atonement. Expiation has to do with removing the blot of sin, and hence the term is related to such words as “forgive,” “purge,” “cleanse,” or “atone.”

All NT references to expiation have to do with the sacrifice of Christ for human sin. In the Bible both expiation and propitiation are part of God’s atoning work. Christ’s sacrifice both propitiates (turns away) the wrath of God and expiates (covers) human sin. God’s redemptive work is both personal, or relational, and objective. When a biblical context concentrates on God’s wrath, propitiation is involved; when human sin is the focus, then redemption provides expiation.