Azazel

Azazel (Hebrew, also Azazel, Azael, Asael ) was originally the name of a desert demon, which the Jewish atonement fixed by means of the proverbial scapegoat for the sins of the people of Israel have been charged.

Ritual of the scapegoat

On the tenth day of the month of Tishri, the Israelites celebrated the Day of Atonement, a propitiatory festival, during which two goats were brought about. It was drawn, one for the Lord who was slain, as a sign of atonement, the other for Azazel. The Bock Asasels imposed by the high priest the sins of the whole assembled people, then he was in the desert to Azazel sent ( Lev 16.5 to 10 EU.26EU ). However, this is also the only reference to the ( canonical ) Bible on Azazel. Who or what he is, is not explained at this point. In general, the ceremony will be interpreted to the effect that sin is symbolically banished from the midst of Israel, and their origin is chased back ( to the devil ).

In the Vulgate Azazel is translated with caper emissarius, this suggests that the word originally was not a proper name, but a name of the function that has the goat ( עז אזל = 'es' osel Bock the carrying away instead עזאזל =' Azazel ). In contrast, seems to speak that ' it ( עז ) usually denotes a female animal, but is in the same section ( in Lev 16.5 EU) also used this word to refer to the two ( specifically male! ) Goats as goats.

Azazel in the Apocrypha

In later traditions Azazel is associated with the fallen angels. According to the apocryphal Book 1 Enoch, He taught men the metal processing, the use of weapons, gems and dyes, as well as the art of applying make-up, which he contributed to the corruption of the people and - is similar to Prometheus - the secrets of heaven to man betrayed. As punishment, he was bound by the angel Raphael, stoned and thrown into the outer darkness:

In later works demonology Azazel is considered a bock -faceted demon of the second rank and the first standard-bearer of Hell armies, but is equated with Samael. In the Islamic tradition Azazil is the name of Iblis before his fall.

Popular culture

• In the film Demon - Trust no soul with Denzel Washington Azazel is a demon who travels from person to person and commits murders.
• In the television series Supernatural Azazel is also a demon who acts as an antagonist of the main characters in the first two season.
• In the video game Tekken 6 Azazel is the final boss, who was awakened by the Mishima and must be combated.
• In the films Fallen Angels Fallen Angels 2 and 3 is the Archangel as the protagonist, played by Hal Ozsan.
• Azazel is a character from the Marvel Comics series Uncanny X -Men. He is there, a very old mutant, the biological father of Nightcrawler and claims to be the archetype of the devil. He first appeared in No. 428 In the film X -Men: First Class capable of teleportation mutant also occurs.
• In Mikhail Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita is one of Volands agents Asasello, which is how most of the characters to Voland one of the demons.