The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Leviticus 16:6–22—Scapegoat & Sanctuary: Why Leviticus 16 Still Matters

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Host Lance Smith walks through Leviticus 16:6–22, explaining the Day of Atonement ritual, the roles of the slaughtered goat and the live scapegoat, and how the rites purified the sanctuary and the people.

The episode explores ancient Near Eastern context and competing views of Azazel, addresses a classic objection about two goats versus one sacrifice, and connects the ritual’s meaning to Jesus as the ultimate atonement.

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  1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
  2. Hurlbert, Brandon. “It’s Not About the Goat: The Scapegoat Ritual of Leviticus 16 in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context.” Talbot School of Theology, 2015.
  3. Heiser, Michael S. “The Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16: A Goat for Azazel.” Naked Bible Podcast/More Naked Bible, 2015. https://drmsh.com/day-atonement-leviticus-16-goat-azazel/.
  4. “Being Made the Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:20-34).” Two Saints for All Seasons Devotionals, 2013. https://devotionalstsf.org/2013/03/27/being-made-the-scapegoat-leviticus-620-34/.
  5. “Leviticus 16 - Christ Our Scapegoat.” Christian Study Library. https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/leviticus-16-christ-our-scapegoat.
  6. Angelini, Anna. “Is Azazel a Goat, Place, Demon, or Deity?” TheTorah.com, 2021. https://www.thetorah.com/article/is-azazel-a-goat-place-demon-or-deity.
  7. “Azazel.” Jewish Virtual Library. Encyclopaedia Judaica. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/azazel.
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