to atone
ki.pher denotes making atonement for people, wrongdoing, and sacred places, often within sacrificial procedures.
The predominant use concerns an act performed for persons or the community in connection with sin, uncleanness, cleansing, or offerings. The same action is also directed toward holy places, the tent, the altar, and a house; several broader clauses apply it to iniquity, innocent blood, land and people, or a disaster.
Senses in use
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Making atonement for persons or the people · dominant
Piel forms commonly describe a priestly or requested action on behalf of a person, household, or community. In Leviticus 16:30 the APB renders the clause as atonement made “for you” in order to cleanse from sins, while Leviticus 14:19 places the action after the sin offering for the person being purified.
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Making atonement for sacred places and objects · common
The Piel action can have a holy site or object as its stated target. In Leviticus 16:16 the APB renders atonement for the holy place because of Israel’s uncleannesses and transgressions; Leviticus 16:18 then directs the action toward the altar with bull’s and goat’s blood.
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Addressing guilt, bloodshed, or a threatening outcome · common
Outside detailed cultic procedure, the verb occurs in appeals and declarations concerning iniquity, innocent blood, land and people, and disaster. Deuteronomy 21:8 uses a Piel imperative in a plea concerning innocent blood, whereas Isaiah 47:11 has a Piel infinitive in the statement that disaster cannot be averted.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually presents the action with “make atonement” or “atonement shall be made,” including clauses for persons, the altar, and the holy place. In Isaiah 47:11 it instead renders the surrounding clause with “avert,”.