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The Early Christians thought that Azazel was the Devil

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 3.

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The Early Christians thought that Azazel was the Devil.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

In St. Irenæus' work against the heretics, written about A. D. 185, I find the following verses quoted by him, which plainly shows the opinion then held as to who Azazel (Lev. xvi, 8, margin) was.
Irenæus quotes from a “saintly elder,” the following against the heretic Marcus:
“Marcus, thou former of idols, inspector of portents, skilled in consulting the stars, and deep in the black arts of magic. Ever by tricks such as these confirming the doctrines of error. Furnishing signs unto those involved by thee in deception, wonders of power that is utterly severed from God, and apostate, which Satan, thy true father, enables thee still to accomplish, by means of Azazel, that fallen, yet mighty angel. Thus making thee the precursor of his own impious actions.”—Irenæus Against Heresies, Book I, Chap. xv, p. 68. D. M. CANRIGHT.