Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 16:26

"And he that letteth go the goat for Azazel shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp." — Leviticus 16:26 (ASV)

And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat. —Better, And he who leads away the goat to zazel . As the messenger who conducted the sin-laden animal to the author of sin contracted defilement by the impurity which the victim carried away, he had to both wash his clothes and immerse his whole body in water before he was admitted into the camp. During the Second Temple, he remained in the last booth, which was a mile from Jerusalem, until sundown, when he was re-admitted into the camp.