365betÓéÀÖ

The concept of Goat in Christianity

In Christianity, the term Goat carries significant symbolism related to sin and sacrifice. It represents an animal used in ritual to bear the sins of people, particularly in the practice involving the goat for Azazel, where sins are confessed and transferred to the animal before being sent away to a remote land. Goats also denote those separated from the righteous (the sheep) and destined for punishment. This imagery emphasizes the themes of bearing iniquities and the consequences of sin in religious texts.1
gallery thumb

Synonyms: Nanny, Kid

In Spanish: Cabra; In Dutch: Geit; In German: Ziege; In Finnish: Vuohi; In Malay: Kambing; In Swedish: Get; In French: °ä³óè±¹°ù±ð

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Goat'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The goats are those set on the left hand, cursed and told to depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.[1] (2) The text refers to an animal that bears the iniquities of a group of people, symbolizing the carrying away of their sins to a remote location.[2]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) This term is utilized in a general sense for both genders, appearing in various biblical texts such as Genesis, Exodus, and Ezra, representing the animal in question.[3] (2) The goat allotted to Azazel had the nation's sins transferred to its head, and it was then conducted to a solitary land, as part of the ritual.[4]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The high priest laid his hands upon the head of the goat for Azazel, confessing over it all the sins of the people.[5]

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The text mentions a specific animal, which is used to describe the characteristics of certain gods, highlighting their visual attributes.[6] (2) The text states that the goats of themselves shall bring back home their udders distended with milk.[7] (3) These individuals are placed on the left and are separated from the sheep, and face a different fate.[8] (4) An animal used in sacrificial rites, symbolizing the burden of people's sins, particularly in the context of being sent away.[9]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) A set of young animals, intended for the purpose of addressing sins, as part of the offering.[10]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.