Word Studies¶
Question¶
What is the typological significance of the two goats in Leviticus 16? What does the LORD's goat represent vs. the scapegoat (Azazel)? How does this two-goat typology appear in the rest of Scripture?
azazel -- H5799 (עֲזָאזֵל)¶
Original: עֲזָאזֵל Transliteration: ʻăzâʼzêl Pronunciation: az-aw-zale Part of Speech: masculine noun (classified as proper noun by BHSA) BLB Count: 4
Definition¶
From [ez] and [azal]; goat of departure; the scapegoat. Three competing etymological interpretations: 1. Proper name of a wilderness/demonic entity (supported by BHSA classification as PropN and la-YHWH/la-azazel syntactic parallel) 2. "Goat of departure" (ez = goat + azal = depart/go away) -- descriptive compound 3. "Complete/fierce removal" (az = strong/fierce + azel = go away) -- abstract concept
Translations¶
All 4 occurrences translated "scapegoat" in KJV: - "for the scapegoat" (2x) - "to be the scapegoat" (1x) - "for a scapegoat" (1x)
Key Verses (All 4 Occurrences)¶
- Lev 16:8 -- "one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat [la-azazel]"
- Lev 16:10 (first) -- "the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat [la-azazel], shall be presented alive before the LORD"
- Lev 16:10 (second) -- "to let him go for a scapegoat [la-azazel] into the wilderness"
- Lev 16:26 -- "he that let go the goat for the scapegoat [la-azazel] shall wash his clothes"
BHSA Morphological Note¶
The BHSA (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia Amstelodamensis) text-fabric database classifies עזאזל as PropN.ms.Abs (proper noun, masculine singular, absolute state) in all 4 occurrences. This is the same morphological classification used for divine and personal names (YHWH, Aaron, Israel, etc.).
Syntactic Parallel¶
In Lev 16:8, the lot-casting contains two parallel nominal clauses: - גֹּורָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ לַיהוָ֔ה (goral echad la-YHWH) = "one lot for the LORD" - וְגֹורָ֥ל אֶחָ֖ד לַעֲזָאזֵֽל (vegoral echad la-azazel) = "and one lot for Azazel"
Both use the identical prepositional construction: ל (lamed) + proper noun. This is the ONLY place in Scripture where a non-divine name receives the same prepositional framing as the divine name YHWH.
goral -- H1486 (גּוֹרָל)¶
Original: גּוֹרָל Transliteration: gôwrâl Pronunciation: go-rawl Part of Speech: masculine noun BLB Count: 77
Definition¶
From an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot).
Translations¶
90 total KJV occurrences: "lot" (16x), "lots" (15x), "by lot" (15x), "the lot" (13x), and other variations.
Key Verses¶
- Lev 16:8 -- "Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat" (goral appears 3x)
- Lev 16:9 -- "the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell"
- Lev 16:10 -- "the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat"
- Pro 16:33 -- "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD"
- Jon 1:7 -- "Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah."
- Jos 7:14 -- "the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households..."
- Act 1:26 (NT: kleros G2819) -- "they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias"
Theological Significance¶
The lot removes human agency from the selection. In Lev 16:8, God alone determines which goat goes to Him (for sacrifice) and which goes to Azazel (for sin-bearing/removal). Pro 16:33 confirms: "the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."
kaphar -- H3722 (כָּפַר)¶
Original: כָּפַר Transliteration: kâphar Pronunciation: kaw-far Part of Speech: verb BLB Count: 102
Definition¶
A primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen -- Gen 6:14); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel.
Translations¶
130 KJV occurrences: "shall make an atonement" (20x), "to make an atonement" (18x), "to make reconciliation" (3x), "be purged" (3x), "forgive" (1x), "pardon" (1x), "be merciful" (1x), and many variations.
Key Verses in Leviticus 16¶
Appears 16+ times in Lev 16: vv.6,10,11,16,17,18,20,24,27,30,32,33,34. The verb governing ALL atonement actions in the Day of Atonement ritual.
Critical note on Lev 16:10: kaphar is used for the scapegoat ("to make an atonement WITH him") even though the scapegoat sheds no blood. This demonstrates that kaphar has a broader semantic range than blood-propitiation alone -- it can include the concept of removal/expiation without sacrifice.
Related Words¶
- H3727 כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporeth) -- mercy seat (from kaphar root)
- H3724 כֹּפֶר (kopher) -- ransom, covering price
- H3725 כִּפֻּר (kippur) -- atonement (as in Yom Kippur)
kapporeth -- H3727 (כַּפֹּרֶת)¶
Original: כַּפֹּרֶת Transliteration: kappôreth Pronunciation: kap-po-reth Part of Speech: feminine noun BLB Count: 27
Definition¶
From kaphar; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark).
Translations¶
Always "mercy seat" in KJV.
Key Verses¶
- Exo 25:17-22 -- Description and purpose of the mercy seat
- Lev 16:2 -- "I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat"
- Lev 16:14 -- blood of the bullock sprinkled upon the mercy seat
- Lev 16:15 -- blood of the LORD's goat sprinkled upon the mercy seat
LXX Connections¶
The LXX translates kapporeth as ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion, G2435) 16 times. This is the highest PMI-weighted score (27.64) among all Greek translations.
Paul uses hilasterion for Christ in Rom 3:25: "whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation [hilasterion]." This means Christ IS the mercy seat -- both the place and the sacrifice.
Heb 9:5 uses the same word for the literal mercy seat: "the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat [hilasterion]."
yadah -- H3034 (יָדָה)¶
Original: יָדָה Transliteration: yâdâh Pronunciation: yaw-daw Part of Speech: verb BLB Count: 114
Definition¶
A primitive root; literally, to use (hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands).
Translations¶
136 KJV occurrences: "praise/give thanks" forms (majority), "confess" forms (minority).
Stem Distribution¶
- Hiphil (causative): "to praise, give thanks" -- most common
- Hithpael (reflexive): "to confess" -- used in Lev 5:5; 16:21; 26:40; Num 5:7; Ezra 10:1; Neh 1:6; 9:2,3; Dan 9:4,20
- The Hithpael reflexive form suggests the confessor INVOLVES HIMSELF in the act -- it is personal, not formulaic
Key Verse: Leviticus 16:21¶
וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה (vehitvaddah) = Hithpael.Perfect.3rd-masculine-singular "And he shall confess over him all the iniquities..."
This is the ONLY Hithpael verb in the entire chapter of Leviticus 16. All other verbal actions are Qal, Piel, or Hiphil. The reflexive confession marks this act as categorically different from all other ritual actions in the Day of Atonement.
Dual Semantic Range¶
The same root carries both: 1. Praise (Hiphil) = acknowledging/declaring God's character and works 2. Confession (Hithpael) = acknowledging/declaring one's own sin
Both involve the concept of "throwing open" or "laying bare" -- directed outward in praise, directed inward in confession.
itti -- H6261 (עִתִּי)¶
Original: עִתִּי Transliteration: ʻittîy Pronunciation: it-tee Part of Speech: adjective BLB Count: 1 (HAPAX LEGOMENON)
Definition¶
From [et]; timely, ready, fit.
Translations¶
Only 1 KJV occurrence: "fit" (Lev 16:21)
Key Verse: Leviticus 16:21¶
"...and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man [ish itti] into the wilderness"
Significance¶
- Hapax legomenon (unique occurrence) -- this exact adjective form appears only here
- Root is עֵת (et, H6256) = "time, appointed time, season" -- suggesting the man is one who is timely/appointed/designated for this specific task
- Combined with אִישׁ (ish, H376 = man): "man of the appointed time" or "designated man"
- The "fit man" is not Aaron -- he is a separate individual appointed to escort the scapegoat into the wilderness
- Typological question: Does the "fit man" correspond to the angel of Rev 20:1 who binds Satan in the abyss?
midbar -- H4057 (מִדְבָּר)¶
Original: מִדְבָּר Transliteration: midbâr Pronunciation: mid-bawr Part of Speech: masculine noun BLB Count: 271
Definition¶
From [dabar] in the sense of driving; a pasture (open field where cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech.
Translations¶
276 KJV occurrences: "wilderness" (vast majority), "desert" (minority).
Key Verses¶
- Lev 16:10 -- "to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness [ha-midbarah]"
- Lev 16:21 -- "shall send him away... into the wilderness [ha-midbarah]"
- Lev 16:22 -- "he shall let go the goat in the wilderness [ba-midbar]"
- Mat 4:1 -- "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil"
- Mat 12:43 -- "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places" (eremos, not midbar, but same concept)
Theological Significance¶
The wilderness/desert is portrayed as: 1. A place of desolation and absence of habitation 2. A place associated with demonic/evil spirits (Isa 13:21; 34:14; Mat 12:43; Luk 11:24) 3. The destination for sin-bearing materials (the scapegoat goes to midbar; the sin offering carcasses burned outside the camp) 4. Typologically corresponds to the ἄβυσσος (abyss) of Revelation
Lev 16:22 adds: The scapegoat goes to אֶ֣רֶץ גְּזֵרָ֑ה (erets gezerah) = "a land of cutting off" -- a place of complete severance from habitation. This is more specific than "wilderness" -- it is a place that is fundamentally SEVERED.
nasa -- H5375 (נָשָׂא)¶
Original: נָשָׂא Transliteration: nâsâʼ Pronunciation: naw-saw Part of Speech: verb BLB Count: 654
Definition¶
A primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative.
Translations¶
754 KJV occurrences across 380+ translations: "bear" (31x), "lifted up" (27x), "lift up" (18x), "take" (11x), "forgive" (in context of bearing away sin), and many others.
Key Sin-Bearing Occurrences¶
| Verse | Text | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 16:22 | "the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities" | Scapegoat bearing sins away |
| Lev 10:17 | "God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation" | Priests bearing iniquity |
| Exo 28:38 | "Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things" | High priest bearing iniquity |
| Exo 34:7 | "forgiving [lit. bearing] iniquity and transgression and sin" | God bearing/forgiving sin |
| Num 14:18 | "forgiving [lit. bearing] iniquity" | Same usage |
| Psa 32:1 | "whose transgression is forgiven [lit. lifted/borne away]" | Sin lifted away |
| Isa 53:4 | "Surely he hath borne our griefs" | Servant bearing griefs |
| Isa 53:12 | "he bare the sin of many" | Servant bearing sin |
| Eze 4:4-6 | "thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Israel" | Ezekiel symbolically bearing iniquity |
| Eze 18:20 | "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father" | Personal responsibility |
Dual Sense¶
nasa carries both: 1. "To carry a burden" -- the sin is placed upon and carried by the bearer 2. "To take away/forgive" -- the sin is removed from the sinner
This dual sense perfectly describes the scapegoat's function: it both CARRIES the sins and TAKES THEM AWAY.
Connection to Heb 9:28¶
The NT uses φέρω (phero, "to bear") and ἀναφέρω (anaphero, "to bear up/offer"): "So Christ was once offered to bear [anaphero] the sins of many" -- the same sin-bearing concept translated into Greek.
abyssos -- G12 (ἄβυσσος)¶
Original: ἄβυσσος Transliteration: abyssos Pronunciation: ab-us-sos Part of Speech: feminine noun BLB Count: 9
Definition¶
From alpha (negative particle) and a variation of bythos; depthless, i.e. (specially) "abyss."
Translations¶
9 NT occurrences: "bottomless pit" (5x), "deep" (2x), "bottomless" (2x).
All NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 8:31 | "deep" | Demons beg Jesus NOT to send them into the abyss |
| Rom 10:7 | "deep" | "Who shall descend into the deep?" |
| Rev 9:1 | "bottomless" | Star fallen from heaven given key of the abyss |
| Rev 9:2 | "bottomless" | Smoke from the abyss |
| Rev 9:11 | "bottomless pit" | Angel of the abyss = Abaddon/Apollyon |
| Rev 11:7 | "bottomless pit" | Beast ascends from the abyss |
| Rev 17:8 | "bottomless pit" | Beast shall ascend from the abyss |
| Rev 20:1 | "bottomless pit" | Angel with key of the abyss and great chain |
| Rev 20:3 | "bottomless pit" | Satan cast INTO the abyss, shut and sealed |
LXX Occurrences¶
Gen 1:2 (the deep/tehom); Gen 7:11 (fountains of the great deep); Deu 8:7; Psa 71:20 -- in LXX, abyssos = the primordial deep/abyss
Scapegoat-Abyss Typological Connection¶
- The scapegoat goes to the wilderness (midbar/erets gezerah) -- a place of desolation, cut off from habitation
- Satan is cast into the abyss (abyssos) -- a place of confinement, cut off from the nations
- Luke 8:31 confirms demons associate the abyss with imprisonment/confinement
- Both the scapegoat and Satan are sent ALIVE to a place of desolation (not killed)
- Both are accompanied by a designated agent (ish itti / angel)
hilasterion -- G2435 (ἱλαστήριον)¶
Original: ἱλαστήριον Transliteration: hilastḗrion Part of Speech: neuter noun BLB Count: 2
Definition¶
Neuter of a derivative of hilaskomai; an expiatory (place or thing).
Only 2 NT Occurrences¶
| Verse | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 3:25 | "a propitiation" | "whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood" |
| Heb 9:5 | "mercyseat" | "the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat" |
LXX Mapping from H3727 (kapporeth)¶
hilasterion is the PRIMARY LXX translation of kapporeth (mercy seat): - 16 occurrences in LXX translating kapporeth - PMI score: 9.75 (highest of all mappings) - Weighted score: 27.64
Other LXX Mappings for kapporeth¶
| Greek | Count | PMI | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| G2435 ἱλαστήριον | 16 | 9.75 | propitiation/mercy seat |
| G5502 χερουβίμ | 6 | 9.08 | cherubim (co-occurring) |
| G2787 κιβωτός | 10 | 5.85 | ark (co-occurring) |
| G2665 καταπέτασμα | 5 | 7.44 | veil (co-occurring) |
Theological Significance¶
The hilasterion is where: - In Lev 16, the LORD's goat blood is sprinkled (the place of propitiation) - In Rom 3:25, Christ IS the hilasterion (He is both the sacrifice and the place of sacrifice) - In Heb 9:5, the literal mercy seat is described as part of the old covenant furniture
This word bridges the LORD's goat typology to Christ's sacrifice: The LORD's goat blood was applied TO the kapporeth/hilasterion. Christ IS the kapporeth/hilasterion. He is simultaneously the sacrifice (LORD's goat) and the place where sacrifice achieves its effect (mercy seat).