σκορπ-ίζω G4650
To scatter, disperse, or drive apart; used of scattering sheep, people, or resources.
A verb meaning 'to scatter' or 'disperse,' used in the New Testament both literally and figuratively. Jesus quotes it in the proverb about gathering and scattering (Matt 12:30; Luke 11:23), warning that neutrality toward his mission amounts to active opposition. In John 10:12, the wolf scatters the sheep when the hired hand flees, and in John 16:32, Jesus predicts his disciples will be scattered. Paul quotes Psalm 112:9 in 2 Corinthians 9:9, where scattering takes on a positive sense — the generous distribution of gifts to the poor. The Spanish evidence nicely captures both poles: esparce/dispersa for hostile scattering, and the same root for generous distributing.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To scatter, disperse, or drive apart — describing the forcible separation of a group or the wide distribution of something. The NT uses span a semantic range from negative dispersal (the wolf scatters sheep, John 10:12; disciples scattered, John 16:32; the one not gathering scatters, Matt 12:30/Luke 11:23) to positive distribution (scattering generosity to the poor, 2 Cor 9:9 quoting Ps 112:9). Spanish dispersa and German zerstreuen both capture the core motion of flinging outward in all directions. The contextual tone — whether hostile or generous — depends entirely on what is being scattered and by whom. 5×
AR["بَدَّدَ", "تَتَفَرَّقُوا", "يُبَدِّدُ", "يُشَتِّت"]·ben["ছড়িয়ে-দিলেন", "ছড়িয়ে-দেয়", "ছড়িয়ে-পড়,"]·DE["zerstreuen", "σκορπίζει"]·EN["he-scattered", "scatters", "you-will-be-scattered"]·FR["disperser"]·heb["מְפַזֵּר", "פִּזְּרַ", "תְּפֻזְּרוּ"]·HI["उसने-बिखेरा", "तितर-बितर-करता-है", "तुम-बिखर-जाओ", "बिखेरतअ-है", "बिखेरता-है"]·ID["Ia-menyebarkan", "kamu-tercerai-berai", "mencerai-beraikan"]·IT["disperdere", "skorpisthete", "skorpizei"]·jav["Panjenenganipun-nyebar", "mbuyaraken,", "nyebar", "nyebaraken.", "panjenengan-buyar,"]·KO["흩뒤리는-것이다", "흩뜨리는-것이니라", "흩뜨린다", "흩어지다", "흩었다"]·PT["Espalhou", "dispersa", "sejais-dispersos"]·RU["Расточил", "рассеивает,", "рассеялись,", "расточает"]·ES["Esparció", "dispersa", "esparce", "seáis-dispersados"]·SW["Ametawanya,", "anatawanya.", "anawatawanya", "hutawanya", "mtawanyike"]·TR["Dağıttı", "dağılasınız", "dağıtır", "dağıtıyor"]·urd["بکھر جاؤ", "بکھیرا", "بکھیرتا-ہے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
σκορπ-ίζω, future -ιῶLXX:— scatter, disperse, Ionic dialect word, Refs 4th c.BC+; elsewhere only in later writers, LXX+1st c.BC+ __2 disintegrate, reduce to powder,Refs 5th c.BC+ __3 dissipate, τὸν πατρικὸν βίον Refs