The term "scape-goat" originates from the Hebrew word "Azazel," which appears in the context of the Day of Atonement rituals described in Leviticus 16. The scape-goat is a central figure in the atonement ceremony, symbolizing the removal of the sins of the people of Israel.

Biblical Context

In Leviticus 16, God instructs Moses on the procedures for the Day of Atonement, a sacred day for the Israelites to atone for their sins. Aaron, the high priest, is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering (Leviticus 16:5). One of the goats is to be chosen by lot for the LORD, and the other for Azazel, or the scape-goat.

The goat chosen for the LORD is sacrificed as a sin offering, while the scape-goat is presented alive before the LORD to make atonement upon it, and then it is sent into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:10). Aaron is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, and put them on the goat's head. The goat is then sent away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:21-22).

Symbolism and Significance

The scape-goat represents the complete removal of sin from the community, a powerful symbol of God's forgiveness and the cleansing of His people. The act of sending the goat into the wilderness signifies the separation of sin from the people, as the goat bears their iniquities to a solitary land.

The ritual underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, emphasizing the need for atonement and purification. It also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The scape-goat serves as a type of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity and removed them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

Theological Implications

The concept of the scape-goat highlights the necessity of substitutionary atonement, a foundational doctrine in Christian theology. It illustrates the principle that sin requires a sacrifice and that God, in His mercy, provides a means for reconciliation. The scape-goat ritual points to the greater reality of Christ's atoning work on the cross, where He bore the sins of many and made intercession for transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).

In the New Testament, the theme of atonement is expanded and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews reflects on the insufficiency of the old sacrificial system and the superiority of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-14). The scape-goat, therefore, serves as a precursor to the ultimate redemption accomplished through Christ, who reconciles humanity to God and provides eternal forgiveness.

Cultural and Historical Context

The practice of using a scape-goat was unique to the Israelite religious system and set them apart from surrounding nations. The ritual was part of the broader Levitical code, which established Israel's identity as a holy nation dedicated to the LORD. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, remains a significant observance in Jewish tradition, though the specific practice of the scape-goat ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.

In summary, the scape-goat is a profound biblical symbol of atonement, forgiveness, and the removal of sin, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.SCAPE-GOAT

skap'-got.

See AZAZEL.

5422. phrenapatao -- to deceive the mind
... 5422 ("confused inside-out") means to become the victim of one's own confused --
which then God for it or makes others "the scapegoat." This mind-set is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5422.htm - 7k5799. azazel -- entire removal
... 5798, 5799. azazel. 5800 . entire removal. Transliteration: azazel Phonetic
Spelling: (az-aw-zale') Short Definition: scapegoat. ... scapegoat. ...
/hebrew/5799.htm - 6k

'The Scapegoat'
... THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS 'THE SCAPEGOAT'. 'And the goat shall bear upon ... already
referred to. 'Scapegoat' is certainly wrong. But it may ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the scapegoat.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... XXIV. JESUS THE SCAPEGOAT. "Many ... that. He had no idea that in making Jesus
a scapegoat he was tampering with the Divine purposes. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

The Day of Atonement
... door of the tabernacle of the congregation.8. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the
two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.9. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Prophecy Sets Forth Two Different Conditions of Christ, one Lowly ...
... [3203] Civitatem, "city.". [3204] In perditionem. [3205] This treatment of the
scape-goat was partly ceremonial, partly disorderly. The Mischna (Yoma vi. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vii prophecy sets forth two.htm

The Procession of Sorrow
... What learn we here as we see Christ led forth? Do we not see here the truth
of that which was set forth in shadow by the scape-goat? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the procession of sorrow.htm

Christ Exalted
... sacrifice rests in this, that the priest offered continually, and after he had
slaughtered one lamb, another was needed; after one scape-goat was driven into ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm

Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... In the place noted in the margin, these words are related concerning the sending
away the goat Azazel, or the scape-goat: "The chief priests permitted not an ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 36 synagogues in the.htm

Kedron
... In like manner, such a foot-causeway they made, upon which they led away the
scape-goat: both were built at the charges of the public treasure, which was in ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 38 kedron.htm

He Returns to the Mosaic Laws, and Proves that they were Figures ...
... And the two goats which were ordered to be offered during the fast, of which one
was sent away as the scape [goat], and the other sacrificed, were similarly ...
/.../chapter xl he returns to the.htm

The Day of Atonement
... And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other
lot for the scapegoat. ... This was set forth by the scapegoat. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Scapegoat (3 Occurrences)
... The reason of this barbarous custom was that on one occasion the scapegoat returned
to Jerusalem after being set free, which was considered such an ...SCAPE-GOAT. ...
/s/scapegoat.htm - 9k

Scape-goat (3 Occurrences)
Scape-goat. Scapegoat, Scape-goat. Scar . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SCAPE-GOAT. skap'-got. ... (WBS). Scapegoat, Scape-goat. Scar . Reference Bible.
/s/scape-goat.htm - 7k

Azazel (3 Occurrences)
... in a visible transaction, and hence the dismissal of the "scape-goat." It was of ...
a-za'-zel (`aza'zel apopompaios; the King James Version Scapegoat, the Revised ...
/a/azazel.htm - 20k

Goat (92 Occurrences)
... (6.) Hebrews tayish, a "striker" or "butter," rendered "he-goat" (Genesis 30:35;
32:14). (7.) Hebrews `azazel (qv), the "scapegoat" (Leviticus 16:8, 10, 26). ...
/g/goat.htm - 48k

Scar (3 Occurrences)

/s/scar.htm - 8k

Presented (114 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell for the scapegoat, shall be
presented alive before Yahweh, to make atonement for him, to send him away for ...
/p/presented.htm - 37k

Lets (31 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 16:26 "He who lets the goat go for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes,
and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp. ...
/l/lets.htm - 14k

Lots (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 16:8 Aaron shall cast lots
for the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat. ...
/l/lots.htm - 15k

Gesture
... on the head (Genesis 48:14; compare Genesis 49:26 Proverbs 10:6). The hands were
laid on the head of the animal to be sacrificed; on the scapegoat and sin ...
/g/gesture.htm - 20k

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