Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AZAZEL

(Heb. ʿăzāʾzēl)

The male goat upon which all of the transgressions and sins of the people of Israel are laid on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The goat is then sent out into the wilderness (Lev. 16:8, 10, 21-22, 26).

There are four views regarding the original meaning of this designation: (1) a combination of ʿz, “goat,” and ʾzl, “to go, go away,” which can be rendered “scapegoat” (NIV, NASB); (2) “entire removal,” which accords with the stated purpose for both the goat itself (v. 21) and the day in general (v. 34); (3) the place to which the goat departs; and (4) a desert demon or the devil himself (cf. 1 En. 8:1 and passim). The desert or wilderness is frequently described by both the OT and NT as the abode of evil spirits (Isa. 34:13; Matt. 12:43 = Luke 11:24; Rev. 18:2).

Bibliography. E. L. Feinberg, “The Scapegoat of Leviticus Sixteen,” BSac 115 (1958): 320-31; L. L. Grabbe, “The Scapegoat Tradition: A Study in Early Jewish Interpretation,” JSJ 18 (1987): 152-67; H. Tawil, “ʿAzazel the Prince of the Steepe: A Comparative Study,” ZAW 92 (1980): 43-59.

Miles V. Van Pelt

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AZAZEL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)