Propitiation (ἱλάσκομαι) refers to the act of appeasing or satisfying an offended party, thereby restoring a relationship. The term is derived from the root ἵλεως (hileōs), meaning "satisfaction" or “to make favorable,” and emphasizes the appeasement of anger as well as the restoration of harmony. Importantly, propitiation is not equivalent to salvation; they are distinct concepts.
In the Old Testament, propitiation is associated with the space between the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant. Although often translated as “mercy seat,” this is the place of propitiation (ἱλαστήριον), where the High Priest made an offering of blood to cover the sins of the nation of Israel.
God set forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, demonstrating His righteousness in the deferral of punishment for previously committed sins (Romans 3:25). Therefore, we are justified by grace through full redemption, not through works, because Christ’s death for sin satisfies God’s righteousness (Romans 3:24). Christ’s propitiatory work provides satisfaction for the sins of those who are saved and the entire world (1 John 2:2). Consequently, God is just in allowing unrighteous beings—Satan and his demons—into His presence while demonstrating an aspect of His character to unfallen spirit beings.
The Apostle John writes that God loved the world in this way: He gave His unique, one-of-a-kind Son so that all who believe in Him would be saved (John 3:16). His Son made a propitiation for our sins, making it possible for us to be saved (1 John 4:10). This is how God loved the world—by giving us a Savior who was able to satisfy the righteousness of God and provide a sacrifice for the removal of sin.
Under the Old Testament Mosaic Law, God instructed Israel to build an Ark for the Covenant to reside within, serving as a place of propitiation for the sins of the people (Exodus 25:10). Often translated as “mercy seat,” the space between the cherubim on the Ark was a place of atonement or propitiation—a place of covering (כַּפֹּ֫רֶת kapporet), not mercy (Exodus 25:17). Words like kindness (חֶסֶד hesed, Psalm 23:6), compassion (רַחֲמִים rahamim, Genesis 43:14), and favor (חָנַן hanan, Job 9:15) are often translated as “mercy” in English versions of the Bible. However, these terms do not all convey the meaning of relief from sin.
Paul quotes Jeremiah 31:34 in Hebrews 8:12: “For I will be a satisfaction (ἵλεως) for their unrighteousness, and their sins I will never remember.” The Hebrew word for pardon (סָלַח salach), found in Jeremiah, is translated using “satisfaction” (ἵλεως), not “mercy” (ἔλεος). Romans 9:15 demonstrates that mercy in the Old Testament is expressed as favor (חָנַן hanan). Therefore, propitiation is not synonymous with mercy. Rather, propitiation relates to atonement, specifically the covering of sin.
Christ’s work on the cross satisfied the Father’s righteousness concerning the sins of Satan, fallen angels, and humanity, demonstrating God’s justice in deferring punishment for previously committed sins. However, punishment is still coming for those who reject God, for Christ’s work on the cross did not satisfy the wrath of God. Satan, his angels, and all humans who reject God will face punishment for their works, but not for their sins, because Christ made satisfaction for them.
Propitiation is not equivalent to salvation. It demonstrates that God is righteous in providing salvation through faith by grace, based on Christ’s death for sins according to the Scriptures and His resurrection on the third day, also according to the Scriptures. Through this, the trespasses and sins of those who believe are sent away (Colossians 1:14 for sins; Ephesians 1:7 for trespasses).