The term Azazel
is a transliteration of the Hebrew word ‛ǎzāzēl. The word only occurs in this chapter of the Hebrew Bible. The meaning of the word is somewhat uncertain. In all likelihood, the term refers to, the goat that goes away.
The term therefore describes the function of the animal. Some have suggested that the term refers to a location in the wilderness that has been cut off.
Thus the term could refer to the symbolic place where the sin of Israel was taken.
10 but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.