Azazel: (Leviticus 16:8,10,26) Revised Version only here; rendered "scape-goat" in the
Authorized Version). This word has given rise to many different views.
Some Jewish interpreters regard it as the name of a place some 12
miles east of Jerusalem, in the wilderness. Others take it to be the
name of an evil spirit, or even of Satan. But when we remember that
the two goats together form a type of Christ, on whom the Lord "laid
the iniquity of us all," and examine into the root meaning of this
word (viz., "separation"), the interpretation of those who regard the
one goat as representing the atonement made, and the other, that "for
Azazel," as representing the effect of the great work of atonement
(viz., the complete removal of sin), is certainly to be preferred.
The one goat which was "for Jehovah" was offered as a sin-offering,
by which atonement was made. But the sins must also be visibly
banished, and therefore they were symbolically laid by confession on
the other goat, which was then "sent away for Azazel" into the
wilderness. The form of this word indicates intensity, and therefore
signifies the total separation of sin: it was wholly carried away. It
was important that the result of the sacrifices offered by the high
priest alone in the sanctuary should be embodied in a visible
transaction, and hence the dismissal of the "scape-goat." It was of
no consequence what became of it, as the whole import of the
transaction lay in its being sent into the wilderness bearing away
sin. As the goat "for Jehovah" was to witness to the demerit of sin
and the need of the blood of atonement, so the goat "for Azazel" was
to witness to the efficacy of the sacrifice and the result of the
shedding of blood in the taking away of sin.
