Tracing the Evolution of the Idea of Atonement From Ancient Judaism through the Second Temple Period

This work will argue that the transformation of the means for making atonement has drastically changed from the sacrificial rituals in ancient Judaism to righteous works of piety during the Second Temple Period. This work will begin with an exegetical study on the sacrificial system found in the book of Leviticus where atonement was achieved through the death of a victim followed by an examination of texts written during the Second Temple Period (Tobit, Ben Sira, 4th Maccabees, and the Qumran Community Scroll) where a shift will be revealed to allow righteous acts to be included as a means for making atonement. This work will conclude with a brief look at the New Testament concept of atonement revealing a shift back to sacrificial system found in Leviticus leaving room for further investigation into how the first century church applied the Second Temple Period ideas of works/deeds based atonement into the New Testament.