Leviticus 16:10
“But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD.”Read in Context
Modern Meaning
What Does “Scapegoat” Mean?
A person blamed for the wrongdoings of others.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest symbolically placed the sins of Israel on a goat, which was then sent into the wilderness. William Tyndale coined the English word "scapegoat" for this animal, and the KJV adopted it. It evolved into one of the most widely used words in English.
The phrase appears in Leviticus 16:10 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Someone unfairly blamed for others' mistakes. "The junior developer became the scapegoat for the failed launch."
The KJV Verse
Leviticus 16:10
“But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD.”
Related Phrases