What or WHO is AZAZEL?

Dr. Michael S. Heiser2 minutes read

The text discusses the ritual ceremony of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16, where two goats are chosen by Aaron - one for Yahweh and the other for Azazel, symbolizing the removal of impurities from sacred space rather than individual forgiveness of sins. The focus of the Levitical system is on ritual purity and maintaining the separation between Israelites and impurities, resetting sacred space annually through this ceremony.

Insights

  • The Day of Atonement ritual described in Leviticus 16 involves two goats, one for Yahweh and the other for Azazel, symbolizing the cleansing of impurities from sacred space.
  • The ritual emphasizes ritual purity over individual forgiveness of sins, highlighting the annual reset of sacred space to maintain the separation between the Israelites and impurities.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Day of Atonement?

    A sacred ritual involving two goats.

  • Who chooses the goats for the Day of Atonement?

    Aaron selects the two goats.

  • What is the significance of the blood applied to the tabernacle?

    Symbolizes the reset of sacred space.

  • Why is one goat sent into the wilderness?

    Represents removal of impurities from sacred space.

  • What is the focus of the Levitical system?

    Emphasizes ritual purity over moral failings.

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Summary

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Ritual Ceremony: Day of Atonement in Leviticus

  • Leviticus 16 details the ritual ceremony for the Day of Atonement, involving two goats chosen by Aaron.
  • One goat is designated for Yahweh, while the other is for Azazel, a wilderness deity associated with impurity.
  • The sacrificed goat's blood is applied to the tabernacle, symbolizing a reset of sacred space, not individual forgiveness of sins.
  • The second goat has sins symbolically transferred to it by the priest before being sent into the wilderness to Azazel, representing the removal of impurities from sacred space.
  • The Levitical system's focus is on ritual purity, not moral failings, aiming to emphasize the separation between the Israelites and impurities, resetting sacred space annually.
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