The Day of Atonement: Scapegoat, Azazel, and the Blood that Covers Sin

Bible Believing Christian
Sep 16
4 min read

The Day of Atonement: Scapegoat, Azazel, and the Blood that Covers Sin

After the shocking deaths of Nadab and Abihu, God gave Israel a way to live with His holiness without dying. Leviticus 16 introduces the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur—a once-a-year reset for the nation’s sin. Far from an obscure ritual, it foreshadows Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice and the final removal of sin.

Biblical Foundation

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the LORD and died. The LORD said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the atoning cover which is on the ark, so that he will not die; for I will appear in the cloud over the atoning cover.” (Leviticus 16:1-2 NASB)

The chapter details two key rituals:

The sin offering—blood sprinkled inside the Holy of Holies to cleanse the sanctuary.

The scapegoat—sins of Israel confessed over a live goat, then sent into the wilderness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The Hebrew name Yom Kippur literally means Day of Covering. The “atoning cover” is the kapporet (כַּפֹּרֶת), the mercy seat atop the ark. The second goat is sent la-ʿAzazel (לַעֲזָאזֵל). Scholars debate Azazel’s meaning:

A rugged cliff or wilderness place.

A personal being—possibly a demon symbolizing evil.

Either way, it depicts total removal of sin from the camp.

The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) uses ἀποπομπαῖος τράγος (apopompaíos trágos)—“the goat that is sent away,” a term echoed in later Greek and early Christian writings.

Misconceptions / Objections

Misconceptions about “Scapegoat” and the Mystery of Azazel

A. The Problem with “Scapegoat”The English word scapegoat comes from William Tyndale’s 1530 translation. He rendered the Hebrew la-ʿAzazel (לַעֲזָאזֵל) as “escape goat”—the goat that “escapes.” Over time “escape goat” slurred into “scapegoat,” now meaning a person unfairly blamed. But the text does not say the goat was blamed or punished. It is the goat that actually gets away, carrying sin far from the camp. The popular idea that the goat itself suffers for sin is a mistranslation.

B. Azazel: Name, Not ActionThe Hebrew points to a proper name—Azazel—rather than an action. The earliest Jewish sources (including fragments from Qumran and the Book of Enoch) treat Azazel as a personal being. Leviticus 16:8 literally reads, “one lot for the LORD and one lot for Azazel.” The parallel construction (“for the LORD / for Azazel”) strongly suggests two recipients, not two actions.

C. Goat-Demons in Leviticus 17Leviticus 17:7 warns Israel not to sacrifice to śeʿîrîm (שְׂעִירִים)—literally “goat-demons.” The proximity of this warning to the Day of Atonement ritual hints at a cosmic showdown: one goat’s blood purifies God’s dwelling, while the other is driven toward the realm of unclean spirits, symbolically returning sin to the powers of rebellion.

D. Ancient Echoes in 1 Enoch1 Enoch 8 and 10 depict Azazel as a rebellious angel who taught forbidden arts and was cast into the wilderness until the final judgment. While Enoch is not Scripture, it preserves early Jewish memory that illuminates why the live goat is “sent away” to Azazel: Israel’s sins are banished to the source of evil itself.

E. Christ, the Greater RealityJesus fulfills both sides of the ritual. His blood cleanses the true Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:11-12), and His resurrection victory sends sin and the powers of darkness into permanent exile (Colossians 2:15). He is not a “scapegoat” absorbing random blame—He is the Lamb who conquers sin and removes it forever.

Other Misconceptions

“Why all the blood?”Blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). Sin brings death; only a life can cover or remove sin.

“Isn’t this just ancient superstition?”Far from it. The precision and once-a-year schedule underscore God’s intentional plan pointing to Christ’s ultimate atonement.

Theological Reflection

Two goats preach the gospel:

The slain goat satisfies God’s justice.

The live goat carries sin away, never to return.

The high priest entered the inner sanctuary only on this day, clothed not in gold but in simple linen—humility before glory.

Connection to Christ

The New Testament proclaims Jesus as the perfect High Priest who fulfills Yom Kippur.

“Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come… through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

John the Baptist calls Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

His cross unites both goats: He dies for our sin and removes it completely.

Christ-Centered Conclusion

The Day of Atonement shows that forgiveness is costly and complete. God not only covers sin; He carries it away. In Jesus, there is no need for yearly sacrifice. Our record is not just forgiven—it is gone.