Since the sins of God’s people were transferred to the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement, doesn’t that make him our sin-bearer as well?

On the annual Day of Atonement in ancient Israel, the high priest was instructed to bring two goats before the Lord and to cast lots over them. One was chosen to be for the Lord, and the other to be the “scapegoat.” (The Hebrew word azazel means “goat sent away.”) The Lord’s goat was sacrificed as an offering; the scapegoat was not sacrificed but led away. After the priest made atonement for the people, he confessed all the sins over the scapegoat, which was then led away into the wilderness to die.

Some have attempted to identify this scapegoat as representing Christ since He “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12). It is certainly true that Jesus bore our sins, but the context of Leviticus 16 and other passages show this could not be true of the scapegoat. While Christ was sacrificed for our sins, the scapegoat was not sacrificed but, instead, led away. The Hebrew phrase “to bear sin” is more accurately translated in Leviticus 16:22 as “to carry sin.” This goat does not vicariously bear the sin of the people, but simply carries it into the wilderness.

The scapegoat actually represents Satan. The devil in no way “bears,” or pays for, our sins. The Lord’s goat, which was sacrificed on the Day of Atonement, represents Jesus, who assumed and paid for our sins. Satan will be punished (as will all other sinners—see Revelation 20:12–15) for his own sins, which will include responsibility for (1) the existence of sin, (2) his own evil actions, and (3) influencing every person on Earth to sin.

God will clearly hold him accountable for evil. This is what the symbolism of the transfer of sin to the scapegoat (Satan) on the Day of Atonement is meant to convey. In cleansing the universe from sin, the Lord will finally put the greatest punishment against the one who introduced sin into a perfect universe.

Key Bible Texts

And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (Leviticus 16:8 KJV)