The Greek noun athetesis (ἀθέτησις) means annulment, abolition, or the setting aside of something — rendering it null, void, or without effect. It is derived from atheteō (G114), 'to set aside, reject, or annul.' The word appears only twice in the New Testament, both in the book of Hebrews, where it is used with precise theological intent.
In Hebrews 9:26, athetesis describes what Christ accomplished at the cross — the annulment of sin. In Hebrews 7:18, it describes the setting aside of the former priestly commandment because of its weakness and uselessness.
The use of athetesis in Hebrews reveals the author's commitment to presenting Christ as the complete fulfillment and supersession of the old covenant system. When he writes that Christ appeared 'to do away with (athetesis) sin by the sacrifice of himself' (Hebrews 9:26), the word is carefully chosen: sin has been annulled, rendered without legal standing, cancelled.
This is more than forgiveness — it is ontological abolition. The power of sin to condemn, to separate from God, to define our identity — all of this has been put out of force by the cross. Paul develops the same concept in Colossians 2:14 with the 'certificate of debt' that was nailed to the cross. The Gospel is an athetesis — a divine cancellation of everything that stood against us.