The Scapegoat

Full of Sin

In ancient Hebrew the name Azazel, Azaz meaning "rugged" and el meaning "strong" was originally thought to mean the mountainous region in which a sacrificial goat was thrown off a cliff,  "cast down", during the ancient Hebrew Day of Atonement.   Thus, the name Scapegoat we're all familiar with.  

Azazel is depicted in both Judaism and  Islam and is referred to by the Hebrews as belonging to the class of Ser'irim (hairy beings) or "goat demons" who wandered in the desert.

In Islam, Azazel is thought to be Iblis (meaning confusion) or Satan.  Iblis was the Jinn (any of a class of spirits that influence mankind for either good or evil) or spirit that worshipped Allah (G-d) from among the angelic realm.  He made a promise to tempt mankind and lead them all astray and was transformed by G-d from an angelic deity into a demonic one. 

Azazel is connected to the Hebrew ancient Day of Atonement in which three animals, a ram and two male goats were offered as sin offerings on behalf of the Jewish people.

The ram was  sacrificed as a burnt offering on an altar while one goat was sacrificed to Yhwh (G-d) and the other goat laden with the sins of the Hebrew People by the High Priest as he impugned and condemned the animal, sending it back to a place of desolation and ruin (the desert, wilderness) which was believed to be the source of all Corruption, Temptation, Impurity.  This is why No. XV, The Devil Card in Tarot (meaning Temptation and Corruption) is portrayed as a man looking like a goat.   

Azazel is mentioned in the Book of Enoch as the leader of the giants (who roamed the earth during this time) preceding the Great Flood.  Azazel taught men the art of warfare and women the art of deceiving and seducing men by beautifying and adorning their bodies and hair along with the secrets of sorcery and witchcraft.

Azazel's corruption finally gained the attention of the L-rd and He commanded the Archangel Raphael to bind him hand and foot and cast him down into darkness where he would stay until the Day of Judgement.

In Christianity, Jesus Christ was born into the world to save people from their sins and was referred to as The Lamb of G-d.  Interesting analogy because both goat and sheep are closely related.  Jesus came to earth to take on humanity's sins into and unto Himself in order to save humanity from its evil ways.   

His growing flock and popularity caught the attention of the Pharisees (Lawgivers) in the Sanhedrin (ancient Jewish Supreme Court) who began to fear Him because of the signs and wonders he performed.  They even went so far as to label Jesus as being in league with the Devil with whom Jesus was accused of helping.   

After many months of seeking Jesus and doing investigative work they caught up with Him, accused Him of blasphemy (breaking Jewish Law) bound him, hand and foot and put Him on trial even though there had been many mock trials before this one.   Jesus was found guilty and condemned to death.  Because Jewish Law prohibited crucifixion, the Romans were assigned to kill Jesus by nailing him to a wooden altar (a cross).

I appreciate being able to bring forth interesting and long forgotten information relating to subjects of interest that I feel are of importance to all of us.

If, after reading you have any any additional clarifications, comments or questions, I would appreciate hearing from you.
 
     ~Nightshade