Scapegoat

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 16:8 16:10 16:26

The second goat was said to be “for Azazel.” The word Azazel is usually interpreted to mean “the goat of removal,” or scapegoat. However, the term may also refer to a rocky place in the desert or to a demon of the desert. By laying his hands on the goat's head, the priest transferred the sins of the people to it and then had the goat led away into the desert, picturing the removal of the sins.

In the Book of Enoch, Azazel is identified as the leader of the fallen angels who lies bound beneath rocks in the desert awaiting judgment. The goat is led to that area and thrown to its death from a cliff. See Intertestamental History; Pseudepigrapha .

Although the scapegoat is not mentioned by name in the New Testament,  Hebrews 10:3-17 contrasts sanctification through the sacrifice of Christ with the blood of bulls and goats which can never take away sins. See Sanctification .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 16:8-26

At a later period an evasion or modification of the law of Moses was introduced by the Jews. "The goat was conducted to a mountain named Tzuk, situated at a distance of ten Sabbath days' journey, or about six and a half English miles, from Jerusalem. At this place the Judean desert was supposed to commence; and the man in whose charge the goat was sent out, while setting him free, was instructed to push the unhappy beast down the slope of the mountain side, which was so steep as to insure the death of the goat, whose bones were broken by the fall. 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 evil omen that its recurrence was prevented for the future by the death of the goat" (Twenty-one Years' Work in the Holy Land). This mountain is now called el-Muntar.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Hebrew AZAZEL, a word used only in connection with the ceremonies of the great Day of Atonement,  Leviticus 16:8,10,26 , as to the derivation and meaning of which there has been great diversity of opinion. The safest and best interpretation is, that the goat itself symbolically bore away the sins of God's people from His presence and remembrance,  Psalm 103:12 . See Expiation .

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Leviticus 16:8 (b) The goats in this story represent two aspects of the sacrifice of the Lord JESUS. The live goat which became the scapegoat is a picture of the Saviour living in glory with the marks of Calvary upon Him, having taken away the sin of the world, and having died at Calvary for our sins. The dead goat represents Christ at Calvary, giving up His life for us.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) Hence, a person or thing that is made to bear blame for others.

(2): ( n.) A goat upon whose head were symbolically placed the sins of the people, after which he was suffered to escape into the wilderness.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Scapegoat.  Leviticus 16:8;  Leviticus 16:10, R. V. Azazel. See Goat and Atonement.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Scape-goat. See Atonement, The Day of .

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

See Offerings And Sacrifices

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See ATONMENT, DAY OF; SIN OFFERING.)