Azazel
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Azazel in the Bible?
Azazel refers to the goat sent into the wilderness on the Day of Atonement, which bore the sins of the Israelite community away from the sanctuary, distinct from the goat sacrificed to Yahweh.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Azazel illuminates the ancient Israelite understanding of sin removal, showing how the ritual physically enacted the expulsion of impurity to restore covenantal purity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Azazel. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Azazel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Azazel clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Azazel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/azazel/