Which is a scapegoat?

Answer 1

A scapegoat is a term that is used to describe a person who is made to take on the blame for someone elses misdeeds. An example sentence using the word would be " John was made a scapegoat for the mistake Mary made at work."

Answer 2

In The Bible, the "scapegoat" [as it appears in the KJV] is the "aza'zel;" or the "goat of departure."

It's found in Leviticus 16, in the observance of the one commanded annual "day of fasting" of God's people: the Day of Atonement.

Its yearly observance follows the "Feast of Trumpets."

When the high priest comes back out from the Most Holy Place the "second goat" [the aza'zel; scapegoat] is grabbed and held by a "strong man" The returned high priest lays all the sins of the people upon the head of the aza'zel goat [scapegoat].

Notice, that the scapegoat isn't killed. "...the goat shall bear upon him ALL THEIR INIQUITIES unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let the goat go in the wilderness." (Lev.16:22)

The Literal Bible says: "...And he will send the goat into the desert."

"The desert": "midbar" "in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs): KJV-- desert, south, speech, wilderness." (Strong's Definitions)

Following the annual Day of Atonement comes the "Feast of Tabernacles"

Man's "Atonement": At One-ment with God.