The meaning of “ἱλαστήριον”
Understanding hilastḗrion reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
neuter of a derivative of ἱλάσκομαι mercyseat, propitiation. - an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoni...
ἱλαστήριον
neuter of a derivative of ἱλάσκομαι mercyseat, propitiation. - an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 3:25 | “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Word: ἱλαστήριον (hilastḗrion) | |
| Hebrews 9:5 | “And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” Word: ἱλαστήριον (hilastḗrion) |
Theological Word Study: Propitiation
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Propitiation, atoning sacrifice
The Greek hilasmos (ἱλασμός) means propitiation—a sacrifice that satisfies God's wrath against sin. Christ 'is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world' (1 John 2:2).