The Azazel of Jesus in Leviticus (The Scapegoat)

“He shall cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for Azazel. But the goat chosen by lot for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement, and sent into the wilderness to Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8, 10).

The Hebrew word ‘azazel’ (עֲזָאזֵל) is a compound of the words for “goat” (עֵז) and “to remove” (אָזַל), with the literal meaning of “complete removal.” In English, it is sometimes transliterated as “Azazel” and other times translated as “scapegoat.” In the Bible, this term is used to represent “the removal of the people’s sins.”

The word “Azazel” appears only four times in the Old Testament, all within Leviticus 16:8, 10, and 26. Each time, it is preceded by the preposition “for,” and all four instances describe the ritual performed on the Day of Atonement. The high priest would first make atonement for himself and his household, then take two male goats to atone for the people of Israel.

On the annual Day of Atonement, the Israelites would select two flawless goats. They would be brought to the entrance of the tabernacle before the Lord. The high priest would cast lots: one goat was designated for the Lord, to be slaughtered and offered as a burnt offering for atonement. The other goat, designated for “Azazel,” was to be presented alive to the Lord. After the ritual, this goat was sent into the wilderness, where it would die, bearing the sins of the people.

This is William Holman Hunt’s painting, “The Scapegoat.” He spent eighteen months on the shore of the Dead Sea, risking his life in a bandit-infested area to paint it. In the distance are the mountains of Moab, and the sky turns a grayish-yellow at sunset. The goat in the painting is the dying “Azazel,” the scapegoat burdened with the sins of all Israel. Beside it lies the remains of the previous year’s scapegoat. The painting is now housed in the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight, England.

Jesus came in the flesh, taking on human form to become the “scapegoat” for human sin, even allowing Himself to be crucified. He became the atoning sacrifice before God, redeeming those who were entangled in sin but cleansed by His precious blood. This allowed all sinners who believe in Jesus and know they have been forgiven to no longer walk in darkness or live under the burden of sin. Instead, they can become new creations in Jesus Christ, living in righteousness. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

(Compiled and edited based on the Chinese Union Version and recordings from David Pawson’s “Unlocking the Old Testament” series.)