διασκορπίζω
diaskorpízō
G1287 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To scatter or disperse something in different directions, either physically (as with chaff, objects, or people) or metaphorically (as in squandering resources or causing dispersion). The term is primarily used for spreading, scattering, or dispersing persons or things widely, and can refer to actions such as dispersing groups (as a flock or assembly) or wasting resources (as in prodigality).
Semantic Range
to scatter widely, to disperse persons or things, to strew, to squander or waste, to rout, to winnow
Root / Etymology
From δια- (dia-, 'throughout, in different directions') and σκορπίζω (skorpizō, 'to scatter, disperse').
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, διασκορπίζω describes the scattering or spreading abroad of objects, people, or animals. In Hellenistic and Koine usage (including the Septuagint and New Testament), it frequently denotes forced dispersion of people (such as exiles or the scattering of a flock), as well as the squandering of possessions, as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:13). The sense of winnowing is contextually related to scattering grain or chaff. The term can also bear figurative senses, such as bringing ruin by wasting resources or breaking up cohesive groups. Standard English translations such as 'scatter' or 'disperse' capture the main sense in most biblical contexts, but the figurative nuance of reckless dissipation (particularly of wealth) is context-dependent.
Translation Consistency
“Scatter” is the most natural, common English verb that covers the primary semantic range of διασκορπίζω — physically spreading or dispersing people/things and metaphorical uses (wasting/squandering, routing). It matches the attested translations and will read naturally in all inflected forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and σκορπίζω; to dissipate, i.e. (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander:--disperse, scatter (abroad), strew, waste.
Root Family
διασκορπίζω (diaskorpizō) — to scatter, to disperse
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1287-05 |
διεσκόρπισεν | dieskorpisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He has scattered | he scattered abroad | he scattered abroad | 2 |
G1287-01 |
διασκορπισθήσονται | diaskorpisthesontai | V FUT PASS IND 3P PL |
shall be scattered | they will be scattered | they will be scattered | 2 |
G1287-07 |
διεσκορπίσθησαν | dieskorpisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
were scattered | they were scattered | they were scattered | 1 |
G1287-03 |
διεσκόρπισα | dieskorpisa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I scattered | I scattered widely | I scattered | 1 |
G1287-04 |
διεσκόρπισας | dieskorpisas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you scattered | you scattered | you scattered | 1 |
G1287-02 |
διασκορπίζων | diaskorpizon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
wasting | scattering | scattering | 1 |
G1287-06 |
διεσκορπισμένα | dieskorpismena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
scattered | having been scattered abroad | having been scattered abroad | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1287-04 |
Matthew 25:24 | διεσκόρπισας | dieskorpisas | V AOR ACT IND 2P SG |
you scattered | you scattered | you scattered |
G1287-03 |
Matthew 25:26 | διεσκόρπισα | dieskorpisa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I scattered | I scattered widely | I scattered |
G1287-01 |
Matthew 26:31 | διασκορπισθήσονται | diaskorpisthesontai | V FUT PASS IND 3P PL |
will be scattered | they will be scattered | they will be scattered |
G1287-01 |
Mark 14:27 | διασκορπισθήσονται | diaskorpisthesontai | V FUT PASS IND 3P PL |
shall be scattered | they will be scattered | they will be scattered |
G1287-05 |
Luke 1:51 | διεσκόρπισεν | dieskorpisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
He has scattered | he scattered abroad | he scattered abroad |
G1287-05 |
Luke 15:13 | διεσκόρπισεν | dieskorpisen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
squandered | he scattered abroad | he scattered abroad |
G1287-02 |
Luke 16:1 | διασκορπίζων | diaskorpizon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
wasting | scattering | scattering |
G1287-06 |
John 11:52 | διεσκορπισμένα | dieskorpismena | V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N PL |
scattered | having been scattered abroad | having been scattered abroad |
G1287-07 |
Acts 5:37 | διεσκορπίσθησαν | dieskorpisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
were scattered | they were scattered | they were scattered |