What is Azazel / the scapegoat in the Bible?

TL;DR:

The scapegoat, or Azazel, in the Bible, takes Israel's sins into the wilderness on the Day of Atonement. The Azazel points to how Jesus takes away our sins.

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest in Israel used two goats to deal with sin. One goat was killed and its blood cleansed holy places. The other goat, the scapegoat, was sent into the wilderness carrying all the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:8, 21–22). The term "Azazel" associated with the scapegoat is thought to mean "complete removal," or could refer to a remote place where the goat was sent. This symbolizes carrying away sin and is a picture of Jesus, who takes away our sins completely. Jesus is our High Priest who offered Himself once for all to remove our sins (Hebrews 9:11–12).

from the old testament

- On the Day of Atonement, two goats were chosen. One was sacrificed for sin, and the other, the scapegoat, carried the nation's sins away (Leviticus 16:8–10).
- The scapegoat was a critical part of this holy day. The high priest laid hands on it, transferring all the people's sins to it, and it was sent into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sins from the community (Leviticus 16:21–22).
- The term "Azazel," associated with the scapegoat, refers to removal or complete eradication of sins, emphasizing the total separation of the people from their iniquities (Leviticus 16:10).

from the new testament

- Jesus fulfills the symbolism of the scapegoat by His death outside Jerusalem, where He carried away the sins of the world (Hebrews 13:12–13).
- Christ's sacrifice is once and for all, unlike the annual ritual of the scapegoat, making a complete and final atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:26–28).
- Second Corinthians 5:21 explains that God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. This reflects the scapegoat's symbolism of bearing away sins.

implications for today

The symbolism of Azazel and the scapegoat offers a vivid picture of how deeply God cares about removing our sins and restoring our relationship with Him. This ancient ritual, where a goat literally carries away the sins of the people into the wilderness, sets the stage for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Unlike the temporary solutions of the Old Testament, Jesus' sacrifice offers a permanent fix to our sin problem so that we have complete freedom from guilt and sin. This idea of permanent removal of sin through Jesus brings a real sense of freedom and purity to our lives, making our relationship with God more intimate and confident. By understanding this, we can live lives that are free from the weight of past mistakes and focus on growing closer to God.

The scapegoat teaches us about the seriousness of sin and why we need God's help to be truly free from it. Recognizing the drastic measures God took to help us should make us more thankful for His grace and more dedicated to living lives that reflect His love and righteousness.

The story of the scapegoat also speaks to our personal experiences of feeling isolated or cut off because of our wrongdoings. It shows the importance of reconciliation, not just with God but also within our communities. By embracing forgiveness, we can help heal the wounds within our communities, making them stronger and more united.

understand

The Azazel or scapegoat carried the sin of the people away from them.
The releasing of the Azazel had to be done annually.
Jesus was our scapegoat and carried away our sin once for all.

reflect

In the Old Testament, the scapegoat could not permanently remove sin. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, was able to sacrifice Himself and permanently remove sin for all who trust in Him.
Jesus was perfect but took on our sins and became our scapegoat. How does Jesus taking away our sins impact your understanding of salvation and redemption?
Considering the idea of Jesus as the ultimate scapegoat, how does this impact your perspective on forgiveness, both in terms of receiving forgiveness for your own sins and extending forgiveness to others?

engage

God becoming sin and taking the punishment for us is so different than other religions. How does the concept of the scapegoat in the Bible influence your understanding of atonement and reconciliation in Christianity compared to other religious traditions?
In what ways can the narrative of the scapegoat in the Bible inform discussions on justice, mercy, and forgiveness?
We use the term “scapegoat” today in a variety of contexts. How does understanding the biblical meaning of it impact your view of the term we use today?