Who or what is Azarael in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Azarael

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Azarael is an orthographic variant of the name Azazel, appearing in specific textual traditions and scholarly discussions concerning the identity of the desert entity associated with the Yom Kippur scapegoat.

What is the meaning of Azarael in the Bible?

Azarael is an orthographic variant of the name Azazel, appearing in specific textual traditions and scholarly discussions concerning the identity of the desert entity associated with the Yom Kippur scapegoat.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing Azarael as a variant of Azazel helps readers navigate textual discrepancies and better understand the historical development of the scapegoat ritual described in Leviticus.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Azarael. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Azarael in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Azarael clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Azarael." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/azarael/
        

Azarael