עזאזל

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word עזאזל. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word עזאזל, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say עזאזל in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word עזאזל you have here. The definition of the word עזאזל will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofעזאזל, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

Hebrew

Etymology

Uncertain; perhaps from עָזַז (azáz, “to be strong, impudent”) +‎ אֵל (él, “god, God”). The English word scapegoat comes from an interpretation as coming from עֵז (éz, “goat”) +‎ אזֵל (ozél, “escapes”).

Proper noun

עֲזָאזֵל • (azazél) m

  1. Azazel.
    • Tanach, Leviticus 16:8, with translation of the King James Version:
      ונתן אהרן על שני השעירם גורלות גורל אחד לה׳ וגורל אחד לעזאזל׃
      And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Usage notes

  • It is unclear to what exactly עזאזל refers. One common theory is that it refers to the wilderness where the scapegoat was to be released; another is that it refers to a demon, a Canaanite deity. The Talmud identifies עזאזל as a cliff over which the scapegoat was driven. One theory, reflected in early Bible translations and in the English word scapegoat itself, is that עזאזל refers to the actual scapegoat.

Derived terms

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia