The term "scape-goat" originates from the Hebrew word "Azazel," which appears in the context of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, as described in Leviticus 16. This ritual was a central part of the atonement process for the Israelites, serving as a profound symbol of the removal of sin and guilt from the community.

Biblical Context

The instructions for the Day of Atonement are detailed in Leviticus 16. The high priest, Aaron, was commanded to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering (Leviticus 16:5). One of the goats was to be sacrificed as a sin offering, while the other was designated as the scape-goat.

Leviticus 16:8-10 states: "After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, he shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness as the scapegoat."

Ritual Significance

The scape-goat ritual involved the high priest laying both hands on the head of the live goat, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites. This act symbolically transferred the sins of the people onto the goat. Leviticus 16:21-22 describes this process: "He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, regarding all their sins. He shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness."

The sending away of the scape-goat into the wilderness symbolized the complete removal of the people's sins, illustrating the concept of divine forgiveness and cleansing. This act was a vivid representation of the separation of sin from the community, emphasizing God's mercy and the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Theological Implications

The scape-goat is a powerful typology of Christ's atoning work. Just as the scape-goat bore the sins of Israel and removed them, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, bore the sins of humanity and provided a way for reconciliation with God. Hebrews 9:11-12 reflects this fulfillment: "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the Day of Atonement was the most solemn and sacred day of the year, a time for national repentance and purification. The scape-goat ritual was a unique aspect of this observance, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. The wilderness, often seen as a place of chaos and desolation, served as the destination for the scape-goat, symbolizing the complete removal of sin from the camp.

Conclusion

The scape-goat remains a profound symbol within the Judeo-Christian tradition, illustrating the depth of God's grace and the seriousness with which He addresses sin. Through the lens of the New Testament, the scape-goat prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of the world and provided a path to eternal redemption.Leviticus 16:5,7
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Day of Atonement
... the treatment of the so-called 'scapegoat' but confine ourselves to the consideration
of that part of it ... spoken of as both constituting one sin offering (v.5 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Day of Atonement
... was offered to God as an atonement for sin, and the ... seventh month." Ay, methinks,
that was the best part of it ... The scapegoat is gone, and the sins are gone, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Scriptural Types.
... way of access to God on the part of sinners ... word rendered in our version "for a
scape-goat" (Hebrew, la ... performed the service of burning the sin-offering on the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Investigative Judgment.
... are "accounted worthy," will have a part in the ... The scapegoat, bearing the sins of
Israel, was sent away ... issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. ...
/.../28 the investigative judgment.htm

Facing Life's Record
... judgment are "accounted worthy" will have a part in the ... The scapegoat, bearing the
sins of Israel, was sent ... issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 28 facing lifes record.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not ... to realize the effect of the curse
which sin has brought ... his power, and left to contemplate the part which he ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

Desolation of the Earth
... And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not ... to realize the effect of the curse
which sin has brought ... his power and left to contemplate the part which he ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 41 desolation of the.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... And, certainly, if Jesus was the scapegoat on whom our ... been hidden, has so stirred
the deepest part, if we ... We cannot see how without sin there could have been ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

A Reasonable Service
... on the great day of Atonement when the scapegoat bore away ... by his life." Literally
the closing part of this ... Christ as our substitute has met sin's penalty and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a reasonable service.htm

"And for Sin Condemned Sin in the Flesh. "
... Indeed the most part of the world fancy a persuasion ... Sin hath a cry, it crieth aloud
for vengeance ... He is that true scape goat, who, notwithstanding that he did ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii and for sin.htm

What is the meaning of Azazel / the scapegoat? | GotQuestions.org

What is a rite? | GotQuestions.org

What is a sin offering? | GotQuestions.org

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