The Goat: A Witness to the Day of Atonement

Exploring how the Goat constellation points to Messiah

The Day of Atonement—YHWH’s most set-apart day in the whole year—is upon us! My family will be observing it this Friday.

This past July, I release a post called “The Goat: Sacrificed and Set Free.” This post introduced the Goat constellation, a faint but significant sign in the sky.

The Goat constellation sheds light into the purpose behind the Day of Atonement. It is a profound sign that proclaims Messiah’s atoning sacrifice.

Yahushua shed His blood once and for all!

Observing the Day of Atonement is an acknowledgment of Messiah’s perfect sacrifice.

Today, I am re-purposing the Goat constellation to reflect on the Day of Atonement.

So without further ado… the Goat in the sky.

Restoring the True Pictograph and Name

You may know the Goat by its Latin name Capricornus, meaning horned goat.

The pictograph is a goat with its head, horns, and limbs.

The Hebrew Name of the constellations is Gedi (גדי), meaning kid or a young male goat. This word is often used in the Hebrew text of Scripture to describe young goats used for sacrifices or gifts. The Goat has its neck slightly bowed, in submission to be slaughtered.

Restoring the true meanings of the constellations is of utmost importance.

The Goat is commonly represented as a ‘sea-goat,’ a fictitious creature with the upper body of a goat and the tail of a fish. The hybrid fish-goat is rooted in Greek and Mesopotamian mythology. Interpreting this sign as a sea-goat does not match the biblical meaning.

Further, the Goat is located on the Zodiac. Constellations in this region represent events on Earth. Observation tells us that we would not find a sea-goat on the Earth level.

Special Star in the Goat’s Horn

The Hebrew name of one of the stars in the horn of the Goat is Dan Ab Al Gedi (דן אב על גדי).

Dan means to judge. Ab means father. Al acts as several prepositional words, such as like on, upon, besides, against, and a few others. Gedi, as listed above, is a goat. When combined, we have the title, ‘Judgment of the Father upon the Goat.’

Since Dan Ab Al Gedi is on the horn, we can say that the judgment of the Father is placed upon the head of the Goat.

The Day of Atonement: Two Goats 🐐🐐

The Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur) is an acknowledgment of YHWH’s provision for our sins. It is a commanded day of rest. The commands for the Day of Atonement are found in Leviticus chapters 16 and 23.

When the Tabernacle or Temple was in service, two goats were brought to stand before YHWH on the Day of Atonement. The two goats had different functions.

1️⃣ The first goat was sacrificed. Its blood was sprinkled on the lid of atonement. (Lev. 16:7-9; 16:15-18)

2️⃣ The second goat’s life was spared. The High Priest laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat and confessed all the sins of YHWH’s people. Then, as a symbol of the sins being taken away, the scapegoat was sent into the wilderness. (Lev. 16:7-8; 16:20-26)

The Goat constellation witnesses to Messiah

In my book, I explored the topic of which goat represented Yahushua’s sacrifice. The following excerpt is taken from chapter eight, The Goat: Sacrificed and Set Free.

This brings up an interesting question. Did Yahushua fulfill the purpose of the goat sacrificed, or did he fulfill the goat that was sent into the wilderness? Perhaps the answer is both. Like atonement was made through the sacrifice of goats, Yahushua died to make atonement. He sacrificed His blood to offer everlasting redemption. There is no doubt that Yahushua represented the goat offered to YHWH for atonement.

Yahushua may represent the scapegoat as well. In the extra-biblical book of Enoch, Azazel is a demonic entity who is responsible for teaching men all unrighteousness. The Book of Enoch goes into detail about what Azazel taught, and he was ultimately accountable for all the sins of men (see Enoch chapters 8, 9, and 10). This may mean that on the Day of Atonement, the scapegoat was sent into the wilderness ‘to Azazel’ (Lev. 16:10), meaning the goat encountered this demonic entity or the devil in some way. The goat being sent away could symbolize the sins of the people being sent back to Azazel.

Yahushua spent forty days in the wilderness. During this period, He was tried by Satan, but He did not sin. We also know that Yahushua bore the sins of humanity upon Himself (Isa. 53:11; Heb. 9:28). The scapegoat bore the sins of the people too (Lev. 16:21).

The Blood of Animals vs. Yahushua’s Blood

What was the difference between the blood of animals and Yahushua’s sacrifice? The answer, in short, is that the blood of animals did not remove sins.

Although YHWH provided atonement for His people through animal sacrifice, this sacrificial system was a reminder of sin.

Hebrews 10:3-4 “But in those offerings is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Messiah was the perfect atoning offering, which was once and for all! His blood had the power to remove sins.

The author of Hebrews used great detail to explain the role of Messiah’s blood so that we would believe.

Hebrews 9:11-12 “But Messiah, having become a High Priest of the coming good matters, through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, entered into the Most Set-apart Place once for all, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, having obtained everlasting redemption.”

Hebrews 9:13-14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the defiled, sets apart for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of the Messiah, who through the everlasting Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Elohim, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim?”

What the Day of Atonement Means to Me

The Day of Atonement is meaningful to me because it acknowledges Yahushua. He was the perfect atoning offering for our sins. Our joy is in Him!

In our home, the Day of Atonement is a special day of rest, a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. We do not participate in any work. Each member of our family spends the morning in personal reflection, prayer, and fasting. Later in the day, we meet to read the Book of Hebrews aloud. We discuss this Scripture and affirm Elohim’s provision of atonement.

YHWH placed this sign in the sky to testify about the Day of Atonement. If you observe this day, remember YHWH’s amazing heavenly sign, as I will be.

Do you have any thoughts on the Goat constellation? Let me know in the comments.

Please consider if you feel led to support Written in the Heavens. You can explore the paid subscription plans using the button below. Paid subscribers also receive a free copy of my book. 😉