Lexical Summary diaspora: Dispersion, Scattering Original Word: διασπορά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance diaspora, a dispersion From diaspeiro; dispersion, i.e. (specially and concretely) the (converted) Israelite resident in Gentile countries -- (which are) scattered (abroad). see GREEK diaspeiro HELPS Word-studies 1290 diasporá (from 1223 /diá, "through," intensifying 4687 /speírō, "sow or scatter seed," which is the root of sperma, "seed") – properly, thoroughly scatter, distribute seed widely. 1290 (diaspora) is used figuratively of the Jews in NT times. They were literally scattered throughout the Roman empire (i.e. dispersed) and therefore called "the Diaspora." [1290 (diasporá) properly refers to Israelites exiled to foreign lands, i.e. Jews residing outside of Palestine (see Jn 7:35).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diaspeiró Definition a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries) NASB Translation dispersed (1), Dispersion (1), scattered throughout (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1290: διασποράδιασπορά, διασπορᾶς, ἡ (διασπείρω, cf. such words as ἀγορά, διαφθορά) (Vulg.dispersio), a scattering, dispersion: ἀτομων, opposed to σύμμιξις καί παραζευξις, Plutarch, mor., p. 1105 a.; in the Sept. used of the Israelites dispersed among foreign nations, Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 30:4; especially of their Babylonian exile, Jeremiah 41:17 Topical Lexicon Overview and Conceptual BackgroundThe word describes God’s covenant people spread abroad like seed. What began as disciplinary scattering became the providential means for spreading the knowledge of the LORD among the nations. Occurrences in the New Testament John 7:35: “The Jews said to one another, ‘Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?’”. James 1:1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.” 1 Peter 1:1: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect exiles of the Dispersion, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Historical Roots of the Jewish Dispersion Assyrian (722 B.C.) and Babylonian (586 B.C.) deportations began the dispersion. Many Jews remained in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and later throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. By the first century the majority of Jews actually lived outside the land, worshiping in synagogues and reading the Septuagint. These communities became vital contact points for apostolic preaching (Acts 13:14-52; 17:1-4). Literary and Theological Themes 1. Covenant discipline and mercy: scattering fulfilled warnings (Deuteronomy 28:64) yet positioned Israel for future regathering (Deuteronomy 30:3-4; Isaiah 11:12). Diaspora and Mission God turns exile into evangelism. Pentecost pilgrims from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) carried the message home. The question in John 7:35 inadvertently foreshadows Christ’s global mission: the scattered Jews—and by extension the Gentiles among whom they lived—would indeed hear. Pastoral Encouragement to the Scattered James urges joy amid trials; Peter assures an imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4-7). Dispersion language reminds believers that pressure and alienation are temporary, purposeful tools for refining faith. Eschatological Restoration Prophets link the ingathering of the dispersed with messianic hope (Isaiah 27:13; Ezekiel 37:21). The New Testament presents Jesus as the Shepherd gathering one flock (John 10:16), culminating in the multinational assembly before God’s throne (Revelation 7:9). Practical Ministry Applications • Care for migrants, refugees, and scattered churches mirrors apostolic concern for the diaspora. Thus Strong’s Greek 1290 traces a redemptive arc from judgment to global mission and final restoration, revealing the wisdom of God who scatters in order to save and ultimately to gather His people in glory. Forms and Transliterations διασπορα διασπορά διασπορᾷ διασποραν διασποράν διασπορὰν διασπορας διασποράς διασπορᾶς diaspora diasporā̂i diasporan diasporàn diasporas diasporâsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 7:35 N-AFSGRK: εἰς τὴν διασπορὰν τῶν Ἑλλήνων NAS: to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, KJV: unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, INT: to the dispersion among the Greeks James 1:1 N-DFS 1 Peter 1:1 N-GFS Strong's Greek 1290 |
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