Scapegoat

A scapegoat is a person or animal which takes on the sins of others, or is unfairly blamed for problems. The concept comes originally from Leviticus, in which a goat is designated to be cast into the desert with the sins of the community. Other ancient societies had similar practices. In psychology and sociology, the practice of selecting someone as a scapegoat has led to the concept of scapegoating.

Etymology

The word 'scapegoat' is an English translation of the Hebrew azazel (Hebrew: עזאזל) which occurs in Leviticus 16:8. The lexicographer Gesenius and Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon give la-azazel (Hebrew: עזאזל) as a reduplicative intensive of the stem azel "remove", hence la-azazel, "for entire removal". This reading is supported by the Greek Old Testament translation as "the sender away (of sins)".

Alternatively, broadly contemporary with the Septuagint, the pseudepigraphical Book of Enoch may preserve Azazel as the name of a fallen angel. English Christian Bible versions traditionally follow the translation of the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate which interpret azazel as "the goat that departs" (Greek tragos apopompaios, "goat sent out", Latin caper emissarius, "emissary goat"). William Tyndale rendered the Latin as "(e)scape goat" in his 1530 Bible. This translation was followed by following versions up to the King James Version of the Bible in 1611: "And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat." Several modern versions however either follow the reading as a demon, Azazel, or footnote "for Azazel." as an alternative reading.

Scapegoat (disambiguation)

A scapegoat is a person unfairly blamed for some misfortune, or an actual goat Azazel used in a Jewish ritual.

The act of scapegoating is a recent coinage for the practice of singling out a party as a scapegoat, i.e. for unmerited negative treatment or blame.

Scapegoat or The Scapegoat may also refer to:

Technology

Geography

Art

Books

The Scapegoat (audio drama)

The Scapegoat is an audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. This audio drama was produced by Big Finish Productions.

Plot

The TARDIS is forced down into occupied Paris and Lucie becomes part of the macabre 'Theatre des Baroque'.

Cast

Production and casting

Critical reception

Doctor Who Magazine reviewer Matt Michael noted that the story was an "oddball", and failed to hang together properly.

Broadcast

The Scapegoat was broadcast on digital radio station BBC Radio 7 on 13 May 2010 and 20 June 2010 as two half hour episodes.