BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Types and Foreshadowings of Christ's Atoning Work in Scripture

The atoning work of Christ, central to Christian theology, is foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament through various types and figures. The term "atonement" itself signifies a state of being "at one" or reconciled, and in the New Testament, it is often rendered as "reconciliation" [3]. This reconciliation is brought about by the death of Christ [3].

Many Old Testament elements serve as "types" of Christ, meaning they prefigure aspects of his person or work [1]. For instance, Adam is considered a type of Christ (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45), as is Abel (Genesis 4:8, 10; Hebrews 12:24) [1]. Other figures include Abraham (Genesis 17:5; Ephesians 3:15), David (2 Samuel 8:15; Ezekiel 37:24; Psalm 89:19, 20; Philippians 2:9), and Eliakim (Isaiah 22:20-22; Revelation 3:7) [1]. These individuals, in their roles or experiences, point forward to Christ's ultimate fulfillment.

Beyond individuals, various Old Testament institutions and rituals also foreshadow Christ's atoning work. The Old Testament frequently uses the concept of atonement in the context of sacrifices [4]. The sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:15, 16) are explicitly linked to Christ's work in Hebrews 9:12, 24 [1]. These sacrifices were made by priests alone (1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 29:24) and were necessary for propitiating God, ransoming, and purifying [4]. The sprinkling of blood before the ark-cover and in front of the Veil in the Tent of Meeting on the Day of Atonement effected atonement for impurity that befell the Sanctuary and its holy things [8]. The purification or atonement in these rituals allowed persons and objects to remain in God's presence by negating the effects of sin [6].

Specific objects and events also serve as types:

The concept of atonement under the Law involved sacrifices for various transgressions, including sins committed ignorantly (Leviticus 4:20-35), wilfully (Leviticus 6:7), or rashly (Leviticus 5:4, 6) [4]. The daily offering of a bull for sin offering was for atonement and to cleanse and anoint the altar (Exodus 29:36). The priest would make atonement for those to be cleansed (Leviticus 14:31).

The New Testament explicitly teaches that Christ's atonement was foreordained (Romans 3:25; 1 Peter 1:11, 20; Revelation 13:8) and foretold by prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4-6, 8-12) and Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) [2]. Paul characterizes Jesus Christ as God's provision of final atonement, satisfying God's anger against sin [5]. This atoning work was effected by Christ alone (John 1:29, 36; Acts 4:10, 12; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6) and was voluntary on his part (John 10:11, 15, 17, 18) [2]. His suffering was an example of patient endurance under unmerited suffering [7]. The atonement exhibits God's grace, mercy, and love, as well as Christ's love (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4, 5, 7; 1 John 4:9, 10) [2]. It also reconciles God's justice and mercy (Isaiah 45:21) [2].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Types of Christ — Adam -- Ro 5:14; 1Co 15:45. Abel -- Ge 4:8,10; Heb 12:24. Abraham -- Ge 17:5; Eph 3:15. Aaron -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4,5; Le 16:15; Heb 9:7,24. Ark -- Ge 7:16; 1Pe 3:20,21. Ark of the Covenant -- Ex 25:16; Ps 40:8; Isa 42:6. Atonement, sacrifices offered on the day of -- Le 16:15,16; Heb 9:12,24. Brazen serpent -- Nu 21:9; Joh 3:14,15. Brazen altar -- Ex 27:1,2; Heb 13:10. Burnt offering -- Le 1:2,4; Heb 10:10. Cities of refuge -- Nu 35:6; Heb 6:18. David -- 2Sa 8:15; Eze 37:24; Ps 89:19,20; Php 2:9. Eliakim -- Isa 22:20-22; Re 3:7. First-fruits -- Ex 22”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
  5. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 3:25: 3:25 the sacrifice for sin (Greek hilastērion): This Greek word is used in the Greek Old Testament to refer to the “atonement cover,” the cover that rested on the Ark of the Covenant in the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle. The atonement cover was prominent in the Day of Atonement ritual (Lev 16) and came to stand for the atonement ceremony itself. Paul characterizes Jesus Christ as God’s provision of final atonement for his people. Jesus himself satisfies, or absorbs in himself, the anger of God against all sinful people (see Rom 1:18). • those who sinned in tim”
  6. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 29:33: 29:33 their purification: Or their atonement. Traditionally, atonement has been described as a “covering over.” Some more recent commentators seek to derive the term from another Semitic root (which does not occur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible) and thus arrive at “blot out, erase, or cleanse.” In either case, the effect is the same: Persons and objects are made capable of surviving in God’s presence because of a negation of the effects of their sin.”
  7. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
  8. Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Leviticus 16:18: AND HE SHALL GO OUT UNTO THE ALTAR THAT IS BEFORE THE ETERNAL AND MAKE ATONEMENT FOR IT, etc. The sprinklings before the ark-cover [in the Holy of Holies] 97 Verses 14-15. effected atonement for impurity that befell the innermost part of the Sanctuary and its hallowed things. The sprinklings in front of the Veil in the Tent of Meeting [which divided between the holy place and the most holy], 98 Verse 16. effected atonement for impurity that befell the Sanctuary and its holy things, such as the candelabrum, the table, the showbread, and the Veil itself. ”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.