When we use the word scapegoat today, we normally intend it to refer to a person or a group who is blamed for the misdeeds of others. The word scapegoat comes from William Tyndale’s translation of the Bible as an attempt to translate the Hebrew word “for Azazel” in Leviticus 16:8: “He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat [for Azazel].”

In Leviticus 16:7–22, we encounter the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would take two goats, one was to be sacrificed as a sin offering to the Lord, its blood used to purify the sanctuary. The other goat, known as the scapegoat, was presented alive before the Lord to make atonement. The high priest would lay both hands on the head of the scapegoat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, ritually transferring their sins to the goat. Then the scapegoat was sent away into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people far from the camp (v. 22).

The scapegoat is a profound and powerful image of atonement and forgiveness. By transferring their sins onto the scapegoat, the people of Israel were reminded of God’s mercy and His provision for their cleansing. This ritual also foreshadowed the ultimate act of perfect atonement fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

As the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus was offered up for our sins, His blood purifying and reconciling us to God. As the scapegoat, He bore our sins and carried them away, offering complete forgiveness and freedom. Isaiah 53:6 says, “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Through His sacrificial death, Jesus provided the ultimate atonement for our sins, once and for all. Let us embrace the forgiveness and freedom He offers and then share with others the good news of His redemption.

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