Bible Characters & Character Studies
Pardon
First appears at Numbers 14:19
First named in Scripture at Numbers 14:19 — read the chapter.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
the forgiveness of sins granted freely (Isaiah 43:25), readily (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5), abundantly (Isaiah 55:7; Romans 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the pardoned. Justification (q.v.), on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life.