Gerhard F. Hasel The day of atonement (yôm hakkippurîm)1 is the grand climax of the ritual year of ancient Israel, which involves the cleansing/purification of the sanctuary/temple.2 The distinctive Hebrew name yôm hakkippurîm is usually translated as “day of atonement.”3 Some scholars have rendered it as “the Day of the Purifications,”4 or it has been designated as “the annual ‘day of purgation.’ ”5 It recently and correctly has been emphasized