The Hebrew word *nasa* (H5375), appearing 654 times in the Old Testament, carries diverse meanings like bear, forgive, and exalt, requiring careful contextual analysis. It centrally relates to bearing and taking away sins, as seen in Leviticus 16:21-22 with the live goat on the Day of Atonement. In Isaiah 53:4 and 53:12, *nasa* describes the Messiah bearing and carrying sins, a role fulfilled by Christ alone, as confirmed in I Peter 2:24 and Hebrews 9:28. This bearing signifies complete removal of sins, paralleled in Colossians 2:14 with the Greek *airo*. Notably, *nasa* is never linked to satan, emphasizing that sin-bearing is exclusively Christ's work.

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Understanding the Azazel Goat

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The Hebrew word nasa (H5375), meaning to lift up, to carry, and to take away, is central to the concept of bearing sins as seen in the ritual of the live goat in Leviticus 16:20-22. This goat, upon which Aaron lays his hands and confesses the iniquities of the children of Israel, symbolically carries all their sins into the wilderness to an uninhabited land, signifying their complete removal from the community. In Isaiah 53:4 and 11-12, the Messiah is described as bearing the griefs, sorrows, and iniquities of many, using the same word nasa, indicating a fulfillment of the live goat's role through His sacrificial act. This bearing is linked to forgiveness, as it involves lifting sins out of sight and mind, aligning with the idea of complete removal. Similarly, in Colossians 2:14, Jesus Christ is said to have taken away the handwriting of requirements against us, with the word for "taken" matching the meaning of nasa, showing that He lifts up and expiates sins, mirroring the action of the goat of departure. Through this, Christ's work not only pays the penalty but also removes the record of sin entirely from God's reckoning.

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Three)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Hebrew word *nasa'* (H5375) relates to the concept of bearing or taking away sins, as seen in the role of the live goat during the Day of Atonement. In Leviticus 16:21-22, the live goat lifts up, carries, and takes away the sins placed on its head by the high priest. This action parallels the Greek word *airo* in Colossians 2:14, which means to lift up or take away, and by Hebraism, to expiate sin. In Colossians, Christ is declared to have lifted up, taken away, and expiated the record of sins against us, matching precisely the function of the goat of departure. The use of *airo* in the perfect tense indicates this action was completed in the past, affirming that Christ has already borne and removed the sins, fulfilling the symbolic role of the live goat.

Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The Hebrew word *nasa* (H5375), meaning to lift up, to carry, and to take away, is intricately tied to the concept of forgiveness, as it signifies carrying sins out of sight. In the context of Messianic prophecies, this bearing of transgression by the Messiah is described as acceptance, forgiveness, and pardon, reflecting how He removes sins completely from view, as far as the east is from the west. Scripture illustrates this in Isaiah 53:12, where the bearing of sins is linked with intercession, indicating an active work in carrying them until they are fully removed. Similarly, I Peter 2:24 emphasizes that Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, fulfilling this role alone. Hebrews 9:28 further confirms that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, accomplishing both the cleansing of the sanctuary and the removal of sins through His singular sacrifice. In contrast, this word is never used in relation to satan, underscoring that the bearing of sins is exclusively the work of Christ, not shared with any other.

The Burden of Sin

Sermon by Charles Whitaker

The Hebrew verb *nasa* (H5375), appearing 654 times in the Old Testament, is a highly polyvalent word with numerous meanings, much like the English verb "put." In the King James Version, it is rendered in over ten different ways, including "bear," "forgive," "exalt," "obtain," and "respect," which are not always synonymous. This diversity in translation requires careful attention to context to determine its precise meaning. In Isaiah 53:4, *nasa* is translated as "borne," paired with the verb *cabal*, translated as "carried," to emphasize that the Messiah bears and carries our sins. The use of these near-synonymous verbs clarifies God's intent to communicate that Christ actively takes on the burden of our sins, a point further reinforced in the New Testament by Matthew 8, where Isaiah 53:4 is quoted to underscore this truth.

Azazel: Beginnings

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The Hebrew word nasa (H5375), meaning to bear or carry, is central to understanding the role of the second goat, often referred to as the azazel, in Leviticus 16:22, where it is stated that the goat shall bear (nasa) on itself all the iniquities of the people into the wilderness. This action of bearing sins is a defining function of the azazel, symbolizing the removal of the nation's transgressions from God's presence. This concept finds a parallel in Messianic prophecies, such as Isaiah 53:11-12, where the Messiah is prophesied to bear (nasa) the iniquities of many, fulfilling the role of a substitute who carries away sin. Additionally, in the New Testament, the Greek equivalent airo (G142), often translated as bear or take away, is used in contexts like John 1:29, where John the Baptist declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away (airo) the sin of the world, and in I John 3:5, stating that Jesus was manifested to take away (airo) our sins. These verses directly correlate the action of bearing sins, as described with nasa in Leviticus, to Jesus Christ's redemptive work, highlighting His fulfillment of the azazel's role in carrying away the sins of humanity.

Taking God's Name in Vain

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Hebrew verb underlying "take" in the third commandment is nasa (Strong's 5375), which means to lift, to carry, or to take away. It can also signify to raise high or to bear. This term appears in Genesis 4:13, where Cain laments to God that his punishment is greater than he can bear. This connotation aligns closely with the scope of the third commandment, emphasizing God's concern for how we carry or bear His name in all our everyday activities, beyond mere moments of temper or casual speech.

Where God Places His Name (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.

Fellowship and Fellowshipping Are Very Important to God

Sermonette by Gary Garrett

If we lack love for our brethren who live in the presence of God, we are emulating Cain. It is God's desire that we stay in the fellowship.