I was reading another article today and realized an interesting point that makes a huge difference in how I view forgiveness. The focus was Thus the priest shall make expiation for them, and they shall be forgiven. Leviticus 4:20 “Baruch Levine makes the point that the Hebrew verb, k-p-r, is often translated by a phrase such as “to cover or conceal.” But this isn’t correct. The idea behind kipper is to wipe clean, to remove defilement, to wipe off.” (“Cleaning Up the Confusion”) As a Christ-follower, I have always tended to think of Christ’s blood as a covering. It covers my sins. But the word used in the verse above actually means to wipe clean. It seems like an insignificant thing, right? Does the blood cover or clean? Either way, God doesn’t see my sin, I guess. But then I realized some of the implications of the difference. If my sins are merely covered, then my sin still clings to me. Underneath His blood, I am still filthy, disgusting, and stained with years and years of sin. (Also, if God does know everything then can’t He see through that blood and see all the yuck underneath?) If my sins are wiped away, then underneath His blood I am clean and pure. His blood against my skin, soaking into my soul. That seems like a pretty significant difference.