A ruminant mammal related to the sheep. Numerous references are made in the Bible to the various usages of the goat. (Lev 7:23 and Deut 14:4) mention its meat, while (Deut 32:14 and Prov 27:27) report that it provided milk. (Gen 21:14 and Josh 9:4) refer to goatskin bottles. (1Sam 19:13) implies that goat hair was processed into fabric. The roof of the tabernacle was made of goat hair (Exod 26:7; Exod 36:14-15). The goat was also important as a sacrificial animal. Male animals were preferred (Lev 1:10; Lev 22:19), but sometimes female goats were demanded (Lev 4:28; Lev 5:6). The efficacy of such sacrifices was rejected by the early Christian community, however (Heb 9:12-13; Heb 9:19; Heb 10:4).
