“Where did the expression “scapegoat” come from?
The term “scapegoat” has deep roots in biblical tradition and plays a crucial role in understanding the concept of atonement in Judaism. This expression originates from Leviticus chapter 16 in the Old Testament, which describes a special ritual performed on the Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur.
On this sacred day, the high priest conducted an intricate purification ceremony for the entire people of Israel. One of the key elements of this ritual involved the use of two goats. The first goat was sacrificed to God, while the second—the infamous “scapegoat”—played an entirely different role.
According to the biblical account, the high priest would lay both hands on the head of the living goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites. In this way, the sins of the people were symbolically transferred onto this animal. Afterward, a designated person would lead the goat far into the wilderness and release it. It was believed that the goat carried away the sins of the people to an uninhabited place where they could no longer harm the community.
This ritual reflected a profound spiritual truth about the necessity of sin atonement and symbolized the removal of sin from society. The scapegoat became a kind of vicarious sacrifice, bearing the guilt of the entire nation. In Christian tradition, this image was later viewed as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Over time, the expression “scapegoat” transcended its original religious context and began to be used in a broader sense. In modern language, it has come to mean an individual or group unfairly blamed for the misdeeds or failures of others, despite having no direct connection to those actions.
The symbolism of the scapegoat speaks to a fundamental human desire for redemption and cleansing. It represents our collective hope to be freed from the burden of guilt, to have our mistakes removed and forgotten. In a world often quick to assign blame, the ancient ritual reminds us of the possibility of true forgiveness and renewal.
Moreover, the concept challenges us to reflect on personal and communal responsibility. It asks us to consider how we handle collective guilt, whether we seek genuine resolution or simply find someone to blame. The scapegoat ritual suggests a more profound path—one of collective acknowledgment, genuine repentance, and symbolic cleansing.