GOAT

(1.) Heb. 'ez, the she-goat (Gen. 15:9;30:35;31:38). This Hebrew word is also used for the he-goat (Exo 12:5; Lev. 4:23; Num. 28:15), and to denote a kid (Gen. 38:17, Gen. 38: 20). Hence it may be regarded as the generic name of the animal as domesticated. It literally means "strength," and points to the superior strength of the goat as compared with the sheep.

(2.) Heb. 'attud, only in plural; rendered "rams" (Gen. 31:10, Gen. 31:12); he-goats (Num. 7:17; Isa. 1:11); goats (Deut. 32:14; Psa 50:13). They were used in sacrifice (Psa 66:15). This word is used metaphorically for princes or chiefs in Isa. 14:9, Isa. 14: and in Zech. 10:3 as leaders. (Comp. Jer. 50:8.)

(3.) Heb. gedi, properly a kid. Its flesh was a delicacy among the Hebrews (Gen. 27:9, Gen. 27: 14, 17; Judg. 6:19).

(4.) Heb. sa'ir, meaning the "shaggy," a hairy goat, a he-goat (2-Chr 29:23); "a goat" (Lev. 4:24); "satyr" (Isa. 13:21); "devils" (Lev. 17:7). It is the goat of the sin-offering (Lev. 9:3, Lev. 9: 15;10:16).

(5.) Heb. tsaphir, a he-goat of the goats (2-Chr 29:21). In Dan. 8:5, Dan. 8: 8 it is used as a symbol of the Macedonian empire.

(6.) Heb. tayish, a "striker" or "butter," rendered "he-goat" (Gen. 30:35;32:14).

(7.) Heb. 'azazel (q.v.), the "scapegoat" (Lev. 16:8, Lev. 16: 10,26).

(8.) There are two Hebrew words used to denote the undomesticated goat:, _Yael_, only in plural mountain goats (1-Sam 24:2; Job 39:1; Psa 104:18). It is derived from a word meaning "to climb." It is the ibex, which abounded in the mountainous parts of Moab. And _'akko_, only in Deut. 14:5, Deut. 14: the wild goat.

Goats are mentioned in the New Testament in Matt. 25:32, Matt. 25:33; Heb. 9:12, Heb. 9:13, Heb. 9: 19;10:4. They represent oppressors and wicked men (Ezek. 34:17;39:18; Matt. 25:33).

Several varieties of the goat were familiar to the Hebrews. They had an important place in their rural economy on account of the milk they afforded and the excellency of the flesh of the kid. They formed an important part of pastoral wealth (Gen. 31:10, Gen. 31: 12;32:14; 1-Sam 25:2).