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The New Testament Greek word "hilasterion" (translated “propitiation” or “sacrifice of atonement”) suggests three related but nuanced concepts:

(1) expiation – the legal removal of sin by means of the sacrifice;

(2) propitiation – the removal of God's wrath toward the sinner (wrath averted)

(3) mercy seat – the word is used to refer to the Hebrew word for “Mercy Seat,” the piece of sacred furniture atop the Ark of the Covenant. This was the place of atonement, where expiation and propitiation occurred; we naturally associate the Mercy Seat with the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). [from The Amazing Doctrines of Paul as Midrash by Ed Vasicek, pp. 101-102].

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