What does the Hebrew word kephar mean?
The Hebrew word Kephar, translated Atonement, means to cover. It is associated with covering something with bitumen. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, it described a covering of sin rather than removal, because animal blood could not take away sin; it only covered it until the true atoning work of the cross.
Les explains that the Hebrew word translated Atonement was Kephar, spelled K-A-P-H-A-R in English and pronounced more or less K-A-W-F-A-R. He notes that Kephar meant to cover, as when something was covered with bitumen—they would Kephar it. So the Day of Atonement was not a day of removing Israel’s sin; animal blood could not take away sin, only cover it. David in the Psalms says, “Blessed is the man whose sins are covered,” meaning they were not done away with. The Old Testament believer could not go into glory when he died because his sins were not atoned for, only covered, while waiting for the true atoning work of the cross. After the cross and the supreme sacrifice, when divine blood had been shed, their sins were atoned for, and God took paradise up into heaven. Les also describes Atonement as At-one-ment, but man cannot become one with God until the resurrection power and finished work of the cross.