📖 Biblical Definition
The scapegoat was the second goat of the Day of Atonement ritual in Leviticus 16. After the first goat was slain as a sin-offering and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat, the high priest laid both hands on the head of the live goat and confessed over it "all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins", transferring them symbolically (16:21). The goat — destined "for Azazel" (a contested name, perhaps a wilderness demon, or a removal-name) — was then led by the appointed man into the wilderness to a solitary land. Tyndale coined the English "scape-goat" to translate the term. Christ fulfills both goats: slain victim and sin-bearer driven outside the camp.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The wilderness-goat of Yom Kippur; carries sin away.
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The second goat of the Day of Atonement ritual described in Leviticus 16. After Aaron confessed all the iniquities of Israel over its head, the goat was driven into the wilderness by a fit man — carrying the sins away to a land not inhabited. Distinct from the first goat sacrificed for sin. The Hebrew azazel may name the destination ("to the goat that goes away") or a wilderness demon. William Tyndale coined the English word "scape-goat" for this Levitical figure.
📖 Key Scripture
Leviticus 16:21-22 — "And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited."
Hebrews 9:28 — "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many."
Isaiah 53:6 — "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern "scapegoat" means "unfair blame-taker" with negative connotations; the original ritual was substitutionary atonement-symbol.
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Today "scapegoat" implies injustice — an innocent party unfairly blamed. The Levitical ritual was different: a divinely appointed substitute carried sins away by God's command. Christ on the cross is both: rejected by men unjustly (the negative sense) and appointed by God as the sin-bearer (the original ritual sense).
Recover the typology: the two goats together preach the cross. One dies (paying the penalty); one is sent away (removing the stain). Christ does both.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew azazel; English coinage by Tyndale.
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['Hebrew', 'H5799', 'azazel', 'scapegoat, the-goat-that-goes-away']
Usage
"The two goats together preach the cross."
"One pays; one removes."
"Christ is both."