There are several interpretations concerning the scapegoat Azazel
mentioned in Leviticus 16.
In my view, the matter
is not critical; by which I mean that a believer's
misunderstanding is not regarded as sin. Stewarton Bible
School does not publish material on the scapegoat: but, since
the question is often asked, here are a few quotations taken
from various sources concerning Azazel.
Westminster Dictionary of the Bible:
"Azazel = removal, in the sense of entire
removal. The word occurs in one passage only (Lev. 16:8,
10, 26. RV) The data for determining its meaning are
meagre and insufficient. Numerous interpretations
have been proposed, but they are conjectures, more
or less satisfactory... One of 3 interpretations is satisfactory:
Pictorial Biblical Encyclopaedia page 326 on Scapegoat.
"Secondly came the ritual of the two goats. One was sacrificed
for the people's sins and its blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat,
thus linking the expiation of the sins of both people and priests.
The second goat - apparently derived from a separate stream of
ancient beliefs and rites - was offered by the community, destined
for Azazel (probably, although not certainly, a demonic
spirit) and set, alive, before Yahweh. The High Priest laid
his hands upon the head of this scapegoat whereupon Yahweh transferred
to it all the sins - whether deliberate or unintentional - of
the people. Then, bearing all the sins of the people, it was taken
into the wilderness and driven out. There is a tradition that
it was taken to the top of a precipice - at one time to Beth-Hadudun,
modern Khirbet Khareidon, overlooking the Kidron Valley, some
six kilometres from Jerusalem - and there hurled down from a
great height."
Bullinger comments in the Companion Bible
concerning the two words 'with him' in Leviticus
16:10
The scapegoat was not used to make atonement, but atonement
was made for it.
Hence he was to be "let go" free...
Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, page 207 article Azazel:
The name of the spirit (Lev.16:8,10,26) supposed to have its abode
in the wilderness, to whom, on the day of Atonement, the goat
laden with the sins of the people was sent (v 20-22). Azazel is
not mentioned elsewhere in the OT; but the name occurs in the
Book of Enoch (2nd cent. B.C.) as that of the leader
of the evil angels who (Gen.6:2-4) formed unions with the
daughters of men, and (as the legend is developed in the Book
of Enoch) taught them various arts, and whose off-spring, the
giants, filled the earth with unrighteousness and blood. On account
of the wickedness wrought by Azazel upon earth, the four archangels,
Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael (9:1) are represented as impeaching
him before the Almighty, who there upon (ch.10) bids Raphael bind
him hand and foot, and secure him, under rough and jagged rocks,
at a place in the desert called Dudael, until on the great
day of judgement he is cast into the fire…
In the Hastings Dictionary of the Bible we also find various
shades of meaning. I quote:
Willis: 'Azazel, the name of a personal being, in opposition
to Jehovah, the personal name of God.'
Schulz: Some powerful being to whom the animal is assigned,
and to whom it is sent with the now forgiven guilt of the reconciled
people…
This being must be conceived of as strange and unholy…
An Aramaic name for an unclean and ungodlike power,
which has its abode in the wilderness, in the accursed land outside
the sacred bounds of the camp.'
Cambridge Companion of the Bible:
Watson: Azazel, the completely separate one, the
evil spirit regarded as dwelling in the desert.'
As you can see there are various shades of meaning; though most agree that Azazel is an evil being who the Almighty banished to the wilderness. Beyond this I will not attempt an explanation, in case I am wrong and the other material SBS publishes - which is positive truth - is rejected. My advice is teach or preach about things of which you are absolutely certain: truths which are supported by numerous Bible quotations. In this way you will direct your hearers to faith and obedience. Entering areas of speculation is dangerous unless one can support every assumption with several Bible texts. You will notice that Stewarton Bible School is extremely cautious for fear of being wrong and leading unsuspecting souls into error. We endeavour to publish only what we are certain of. I am not certain who Azazel is. After all, there is only one Bible passage which mentions the scapegoat.
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