scapegoat; sacrificial goat
Christian term referring to the goat sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). Also used metaphorically for a person or group blamed for the wrongdoings of others.
In the Old Testament, they laid the sins of the people on the scapegoat and sent it into the wilderness.
He was made the scapegoat for the company's failure.
Loanword from English 'scapegoat', used in similar metaphorical contexts but without the specific biblical imagery of 贖罪の山羊.
Means 'substitute' or 'stand-in', often used for someone who takes the blame or punishment in place of another, but lacks the religious connotation.
From 贖罪 (しょくざい, 'atonement') + の (possessive particle) + 山羊 (やぎ, 'goat'). A direct translation of the biblical 'scapegoat' (Leviticus 16).