Azazel
    (Lev. 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.



 Azazel, the scape-goat