C. Ritual for the Scapegoat (16:20-22)

The ritual of releasing the goat for Azazel takes place at this point. A person appointed to the task leads the goat out into the wilderness, making sure that this animal ladened with the sins will not return to the camp and defile it. This action removed the people’s sins to their source, breaking the power of these sins over the people. Later the goat is led out of the city and cast over a cliff, plunging to its death.