Just what, exactly, is the Azazel Goat?

The Atonement and the Azazel Goat


Early in our gospel education each of us is responsible “for our own sins”, and not for the sins of others. We also learn, however, that there are certain circumstances under which the sin of one is transferred to another.

For instance, our stewardship as parents in Zion requires that we raise our children in “light and truth.” When we fail to do so, their wrongs, committed prior to age eight, “falls upon” our heads. The sins of the children fall upon the heads of the parents.

The prophet Jacob understood firmly, that failure to teach his people might result in their sins being transferred to him.

And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence…[that] their blood might on come upon our garments…and we would not be found spotless at the last day. (Jacob 1:19)

Jacob is saying that should he fail to teach his people he would be guilty of double sin: not only would he be guilty of shirking his appointed duty but the actual sins of the people would be moved from them to him. His garments would then be spotted with their sins.

Of course, the most transcendent case of sin transfer is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. “He was wounded” says Isaiah, “for our transgressions, he was bruised for our inequities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him.” (Isaiah 53:5) Because of the power of the “infinite Atonement” the sins of countless children of God were transferred to the Savior of the world. Justice was then satisfied and mercy extended by He who bore those sins.

The Law of Moses taught the people a powerful object lesson in sin transfer. As we know, the Law was given so that “they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the Law of Moses was a type of his coming…” (Alma 25:15) In the Law, all things pointed to the coming of the Messiah and the Atonement. In preparing the people for that sacrifice, the Lord prescribed blood sacrifices on specific days to help prepare their minds and hearts.

On the Day of Atonement, the transfer of sins become central to the observance. The Law directs that two goats or kids be brought to the temple.

And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (Lev 16: 7,8)

The “Lord’s” goat was to be the “sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail…and he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins.” (Lev. 16:15)

This symbolism is unmistakable. The blood of the goat chosen “for the Lord” is spilt and sprinkled upon the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, signifying the mercy that comes from He who was slain. Surely this goat is deeply symbolic of the Savior.

The other goat—the one not chosen—is designated as the scapegoat, or “Azazel” goat. He is “presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him.” (Lev. 16: 10) Now bearing the sins of Israel, the priest is “to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” Afterwards, the priest who sends the scapegoat needs to completely wash to become clean once again.

Who is this second goat to supposed to symbolize? Commentators explain that Azazel is “the devil himself, the head of the fallen angels, who was afterwards called Satan; for no subordinate evil spirit could have been placed in antithesis to Jehovah . . . , but only the ruler or head of the kingdom of demons." This certainly matches the world’s caricature of Satan as a goat or goat-like figure.

The Azezel goat is the one not chosen, the one banished from the temple and “cast down” to the wilderness. It is this goat, however, upon which the collective sins of Israel are placed.

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live [scapegoat], and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel…and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited; (Lev 16:21,22)

Christians everywhere understand the transfer of sin that occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. In the Law of Moses, sins transferred to a scapegoat seems to suggest that, at some point, Lucifer may also have sins of others placed on his head, though this has never been revealed.

There are at least two possibilities, and reasons, that this transfer may occur. As we discussed earlier, a transfer of sins can occur if we fail to do our duty. If we do not warn the people to keep the commandments, we can, as Jacob suggested, find ourselves with their blood (sins) on our garments. Also, as parents, sins committed by our children are put upon our head, should we fail to bring them up in truth and light. Apparently, justice requires that sins committed by the innocent be placed on the heads of those who did not teach them properly.

During the War in Heaven, Lucifer raged against the Plan of Salvation and against the Savior. He fought that war by lie and deceit, “ [he] deceiveth the whole world”. He also did it by slander. “Now is come salvation,” says John, speaking of the premortal conflict, “for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” (Rev. 12:10)

Lucifer, a son of the morning, achieved great intelligence and light through his early obedience. At some point, pride soured his heart and he used his vast knowledge and skill to deceive his fellow spirit brothers and sisters. The sins committed due to his malfeasance are incalculable.

Mercy demands accountability for those sins; certainly the Savior bore them in the garden. Lucifer, by his acts, become Perdition, placing himself outside the effects of the Atonement. He, it was, who caused the heavens to weep. He it was who failed to teach and support the eternal Plan of Happiness. And he it was that caused sin uncounted.

Because of those actions, were the sins of the innocent placed on his head, just like Israel’s scapegoat, just as he was cast down? In the aftermath of the Infinite Atonement, were additional sins, committed by the deceived, placed again on his head; his to bear throughout the long dark night of eternity?

The Plan of Salvation required the fall of man. It provides for a Savior to redeem all mankind from the effects of the fall. Does the Atonement also need a Perdition, a scapegoat, to carry those sins into outward darkness? The enormity of that doom is beyond the mind of mortal man.