Azazel
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Azazel refers to the goat sent into the wilderness on the Day of Atonement, which bore the sins of the Israelite community away from the sanctuary, distinct from the goat sacrificed to Yahweh.
What is the meaning of Azazel in the Bible?
Azazel refers to the goat sent into the wilderness on the Day of Atonement, which bore the sins of the Israelite community away from the sanctuary, distinct from the goat sacrificed to Yahweh.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Azazel illuminates the ancient Israelite understanding of sin removal, showing how the ritual physically enacted the expulsion of impurity to restore covenantal purity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Azazel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Azazel clarify?
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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.