Scapegoat
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Scapegoat in the Bible?
A ritual goat designated in the Book of Leviticus to carry the sins of the community into the wilderness. This practice occurred annually during the Day of Atonement.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this ritual clarifies the mechanism of atonement in the Pentateuch, showing how guilt was physically removed from the sanctuary to restore communal holiness.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Scapegoat. 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 Scapegoat in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Scapegoat clarify?
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
"Scapegoat." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/scapegoat/