The word propitiation is used in the Bible in connection with Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. The Bible states clearly that the penalty of sin is death ( Romans 6:23 ).

Propitiation is the biblical doctrine embodying the concept that the death of Christ fully satisfied the demands of a righteous God in respect to judgment upon the sinner.

The word propitiation refers to the “mercy seat” of the ark of the covenant. It was upon this Holy golden box that the blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14, 15), and from which, by the benefit of the atonement, the sinner who had repented obtained forgiveness.

The doctrine of propitiation is well understood as a sacrifice that appeases and bears God’s wrath until it is quenched, and the sinner’s position before God changes from deserving God’s wrath to receiving God’s favor. [2]