Goat-demons - Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament Words
Usage Number: 1
Strong's Number: H8163
Original Word: sa‘îr
Usage Notes: "goat-demons; goat-idols." This word occurs 4 times in biblical Hebrew. In its first biblical appearance, the word represents "goat-idols"): "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils [nasb, "goat demons"], after whom they have gone a whoring" (Lev. 17:7). This passage demonstrates that the word represents being that were objects of pagan worship. Worship of these "demons" persisted long in the history of Israel, appearing under Jeroboam I (929-909 b.c.), who "…ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils [rsv, "satyrs"], and for the calves which he had made" (2 Chron. 11:15). In this instance, sa‘îr represents idols that Jeroboam had manufactured. Josiah's revival probably involved the breaking down of the high places of the goat-demons (2 Kings 23:8).