Azazel

Scapegoat
2007.05.08 3:19

Today I believe most scholars consider Azazel is one of spirits. The etymological analysis of this word is unclear. Some say it means goat that departs, others God strengthens, etc.
You see Septuagint -3 b.c. translated it as the one carrying away evil which has nothing to do with scapegoat yet.
It was not until Vulgate which is the work in 4 c, that started translating as the emmisary goat, which is very similar to the notion of scapegoat.
Since then almost all major translations - Tyndale 1530, King James Version 1611 rendered the word scapegoat for the word Azazel.
If this word is translated as scapegoat, one of the goats was offerred as a scapegoat, which is completely in accordance with the traditional Christian theology -Azazel is a scapegoat and prefiguration of Jesus Christ. Although I raise some question.
But American Standard Version 1901 preferred to use the word itself rather than translation word, that leaves us a room to look it up the meaning of the word Azazel.
Anyway I was able to understand what Azazel means clearly thanks to the direct use of this word in Leviticus 16:8 in this version.