This article examines the use of the word atonement in biblical-theological discourse in the English language and early English translations of the Bible. It traces the word’s origin and development, and it uncovers its original signification and the meaning of the words from which it derives. It suggests that modern English-speaking theologians could benefit from a re-evaluation of this word given that it was first introduced in English translations of the Bible and subsequently used in Christian theological discourse for a specific purpose which is no longer operative. It suggests that a recovery of its original signification can be helpful to understanding how some medieval and early Renaissance English Christians interpreted that word, scriptural passages, and Christ’s salvific work.

本文考察了“赎罪”一词在英语圣经神学话语和圣经早期英文译本中的使用。它追溯词的起源和发展，揭示词的本义和词义。它表明现代英语神学家可以从重新评估这个词中受益，因为它首先出现在圣经的英文翻译中，随后用于基督教神学话语中，用于不再有效的特定目的。它表明恢复其原始含义有助于理解一些中世纪和早期文艺复兴时期的英国基督徒如何解释该词、经文和基督的救赎工作。