Scapegoat

The scapegoat was a goat that was driven off into the wilderness as part of the ceremonies of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in Judaism during the times of the Temple in Jerusalem. The rite is described in Leviticus 16. The word also refers, in modern parlance, to one who is blamed for misfortunes, often as a way of distracting attention from the real causes.

In the Hebrew Bible

Two male goats were to be brought to the place of sacrifice along with a bull as part of the Korbanot ("sacrifices") in the Temple in Jerusalem. The high priest then cast lots for the two goats. One goat was offered as a burnt offering, as was the bull. The second goat was the scapegoat. The high priest placed his hands on the head of the goat and confessed the sins of the people of Israel. The goat was then led away into the wilderness, bearing the sins of the people with it, to Azazel, and pushed off a cliff or into a ravine. It is not clear if Azazel is a person, angel (possibly a fallen angel), or place name?the last seems likeliest, but it is by no means certain.

Related Topics:
Korbanot - Sacrifice - Temple in Jerusalem - Burnt offering - Azazel - Angel - Fallen angel

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In modern Hebrew Azazel is a curse word, as in lekh la-Azazel ("go to Azazel"). It is possible that "Azazel" in this context is used metaphorically, and the goat was released into the wilderness rather than being taken to a specific location, as in the English "go to hell". Alternatively, "Azazel" could refer to a personal being, as in the English "go to the devil".

Related Topics:
Modern Hebrew - Azazel - English - Hell

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