As Ive understood it the ancient Jewish understanding of Azazel was fragmented into several explanations
There are multiple modern explanations, but only one ancient explanation, that is known to us.
If you read the link, which is much more eloquent and informative than I am able to be, you'll find out - among other things - that:
The Abingdon Bible Commentary states:
The translation dismissal in the R.V. mg. here (cf. removal in A.S.V. mg.) is inadmissible, being based on false etymology. What the word meant is unknown, but it should be retained as the proper name of a wilderness demon. (p. 289)
In his Bible dictionary, James Hastings states:'Azazel must have been such a[n evil] spirit, sufficiently distinguished from the rest, in popular imagination, to receive a special name, and no doubt invested with attributes which, though unknown to us, were perfectly familiar to those for whom the ceremonial of Lv 16 was first designed. (pp. 207-208, vol. 1, A Dictionary of the Bible)
...
The Soncino Chumash says that 'azazel "is a compound of azaz, 'to be strong,' and el, 'mighty'" (p. 706). The Hebrew word 'el is often translated as "God" in the Old Testament. It is frequently used in combination with other words in proper names (i.e., Daniel - "God is my judge"; Samuel - "name of God"; Penuel - "face of God"; etc.). Therefore, as a proper name, Azazel could positively mean "strong one of God" or negatively it could imply "belligerent toward God."
Link:
Azazel - Here a little, there a little - Spirit Realm
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