azazel

Azazel is a name appearing in several ancient Jewish and Christian texts, where it is linked to concepts of sin, exile, and sometimes demonic power. In the Hebrew Bible, the term occurs in Leviticus 16 in the description of the Day of Atonement, where two goats are chosen for different purposes.

Meaning and interpretation of the name are debated. In Leviticus, the phrase “to Azazel” has been read as the designation of a wilderness demon, as a reference to a place, or as an expression describing the removal of sin—the exact identity of Azazel is not decisively defined in the text.

In the Book of Enoch, an expanded Jewish apocryphal work, Azazel is depicted as a fallen angel or leader of the Watchers who taught humanity forbidden arts, including weapon-making and cosmetics. He is said to be bound and punished for the rebellion against divine order.

Within broader Jewish and Christian tradition, Azazel is often treated as a demon or fallen angel rather than a canonical figure. The Levitical scapegoat ritual has frequently led to readings that connect Azazel with the removal of sin or with demonic temptation, though interpretations vary among scholars and traditions.

In modern popular culture, Azazel is frequently used as a demon name or villain in novels, films, and comics, reflecting the enduring resonance of the figure beyond classical religious texts.