Lexical Summary skorpizó: To scatter, to disperse Original Word: σκορπίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scatter, disperse abroadApparently from the same as skorpios (through the idea of penetrating); to dissipate, i.e. (figuratively) put to flight, waste, be liberal -- disperse abroad, scatter (abroad). see GREEK skorpios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition to scatter NASB Translation scattered (2), scatters (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4650: σκορπίζωσκορπίζω; 1 aorist ἐσκορπισα; 1 aorist passive ἐσκορπίσθην; ((probably from the root, skarp, 'to cut asunder,' 'cut to pieces'; akin is σκορπίος; cf. Latinscalpere, scrobs, etc.; Fick 1:240; 3:811, etc.)); to scatter: ὁ λύκος σκορπίζει τά πρόβατα, John 10:12; ὁ μήν συνάγων μετ' ἐμοῦ σκορπίζει, Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23 (this proverb is taken from a flock — to which the body of Christ's followers is likened (others regard the proverb as borrowed from agriculture); συνάγει τούς ἐσκορπισμενους τό ὄργανον (i. e. a trumpet), Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 1, 56 at the beginning); τινα, in the passive, of those who, routed or terror stricken or driven by some other impulse, fly in every direction: followed by εἰς with the accusative of place, John 16:32 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 516 (481)) (1 Macc. 6:54; φοβηθέντες ἐκορπισθησαν, Plutarch, Timol. 4; add, Josephus, Antiquities 6, 6, 3). equivalent to to scatter abroad (what others may collect for themselves), of one dispensing blessings liberally: 2 Corinthians 9:9 from Psalm 111:9 Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Old Testament Background The verb σκορπίζω evokes the image of casting seed or driving a flock in many directions. In the Septuagint it frequently translates Hebrew roots for dispersion, whether of enemies (Psalm 68:1), nations (Deuteronomy 4:27), or wealth generously distributed (Psalm 112:9). The same tension—scattering as either judgment or benevolence—carries into the New Testament. Occurrences in the New Testament • 2 Corinthians 9:9 – Paul cites Psalm 112:9: “He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” The aorist Ἐσκόρπισεν depicts free, open-handed distribution, validating Christian generosity. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty in Dispersion and Gathering God both scatters (Genesis 11; Zechariah 13:7) and gathers (Isaiah 40:11). In Christ those movements reach their climax: His cross temporarily scatters the Twelve, yet His resurrection regathers them and launches the church. 2. Generosity versus Self-Protection Paul’s use in 2 Corinthians highlights a positive “scattering” that mirrors the Lord’s openhandedness. Giving is portrayed not as loss but as sowing, leading to an enduring harvest of righteousness. 3. Discipleship Loyalty The Synoptic saying presses a decision. To refuse active participation in Christ’s mission is to contribute to dispersion. The verb warns comfortable spectators that passivity fractures Christ’s work. 4. Shepherd Motif John 10 sets hired hands over against the Good Shepherd. When leaders lack covenant fidelity the flock scatters; when Christ leads, unity and safety follow (John 10:16). Historical and Ministry Significance • Early Church Context – Persecution literally “scattered” believers (Acts 8:1), but the Gospel advanced. The term therefore became associated with providential mission. Eschatological Outlook Prophets foresaw a final ingathering of God’s dispersed people (Isaiah 11:12). Jesus’ ministry inaugurates that movement; the consummation arrives when He gathers “His elect from the four winds” (Matthew 24:31). Until then, the church lives between the realities of scattering and gathering, called to partner with the Shepherd who alone turns dispersion into a harvest. Forms and Transliterations Εσκορπισεν εσκόρπισεν Ἐσκόρπισεν εσκορπισμένον σκορπιεί σκορπιείς σκορπιζει σκορπίζει σκορπιζόμεθα σκορπισθητε σκορπισθήτε σκορπισθῆτε σκορπιώ Eskorpisen Eskórpisen skorpisthete skorpisthête skorpisthēte skorpisthē̂te skorpizei skorpízeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:30 V-PIA-3SGRK: μετ' ἐμοῦ σκορπίζει NAS: Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. KJV: with me scattereth abroad. INT: with me scatters Luke 11:23 V-PIA-3S John 10:12 V-PIA-3S John 16:32 V-ASP-2P 2 Corinthians 9:9 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 4650 |
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