Azazel
Azazel (עזאזל) was the leader of the fallen angels, of whom we read in the book of Enoch. Its name can also be found in the Torah, namely the Feast of Yom Kippur.
Leviticus 16,8
„And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.”
On this feast Aaron cast lots over the two goats, one of the goats had to be taken by Azazel to the wilderness. The book of Enoch writes that Azazel was bound in the wilderness. Therefore, the goat had to be led here, just as God said, "to him ascribe all sin".
Book of Enoch 10:8
„And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin.”
For the high priest had laid all the sins of Israel on this goat, and someone led the goat to Azazel.
Leviticus 16,21
„And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.”
Azazel was the leader of the rebellious watchers who guarded humanity. And his main sin was to teach people sciences they shouldn’t have known about.
Book of Enoch 8:1–3
„And Azazel taught men to make swords and knives and shields and breastplates; and made known to them the metals [of the earth] and the art of working them; and bracelets and ornaments; and the use of antimony and the beautifying of the eyelids; and all kinds of costly stones and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray and became corrupt in all their ways.”
You can learn more about Azazel in 'Who was Azazel?' Article.
Antal Farkas
(September 6, 2024)
