The term "scattereth" is an archaic form of the verb "scatter," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is used to describe the act of dispersing, spreading, or causing to separate in different directions. This concept is often employed metaphorically to illustrate spiritual truths, divine judgment, or the consequences of human actions.

Divine Judgment and Sovereignty

In the Scriptures, God is often depicted as the one who "scattereth" nations and peoples as a form of judgment or as a demonstration of His sovereignty. For instance, in Psalm 68:1, it is written, "May God arise, may His enemies be scattered; may His foes flee before Him." Here, the scattering of enemies signifies God's power to disperse those who oppose Him, emphasizing His ultimate authority over all creation.

Consequences of Disobedience

The theme of scattering is also prevalent in the context of Israel's disobedience to God's commandments. In Deuteronomy 28:64, the Lord warns Israel of the consequences of turning away from Him: "Then the LORD will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other." This scattering serves as a punishment for unfaithfulness, illustrating the serious repercussions of abandoning the covenant with God.

Wisdom and Foolishness

Proverbs 11:24 provides a contrasting view of scattering in the context of generosity and wisdom: "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor." Here, the act of scattering is associated with the wise and generous distribution of resources, which paradoxically leads to greater abundance. This principle underscores the biblical teaching that selfless giving results in divine blessing.

The Church and Evangelism

In the New Testament, the concept of scattering takes on a positive connotation in relation to the spread of the Gospel. Acts 8:4 states, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." The persecution of the early church led to the dispersion of believers, which in turn facilitated the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem. This scattering was used by God to fulfill the Great Commission, demonstrating how adversity can serve His purposes.

Spiritual Warfare

The imagery of scattering is also employed in the context of spiritual warfare. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus declares, "Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters." This statement highlights the spiritual divide between those who align with Christ and those who oppose Him. The act of scattering here represents the destructive influence of those who work against the unity and mission of the Church.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "scattereth" encompasses a range of meanings, from divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience to the positive outcomes of generosity and evangelism. Through this term, the Scriptures convey profound truths about God's sovereignty, the importance of faithfulness, and the transformative power of the Gospel.

The Conjurations of the Jewish Exorcists. (Luke, xi. , 23-26. )
... opposes in his works the kingdom of God); and he that gathereth not with me (does
not, in communion with me gather souls for the kingdom) scattereth abroad [429 ...
/.../section 162 the conjurations of.htm

Grace Abounding
... If you ask an illustration of the word "freely," I point to yonder sun.
How freely he scattereth his life-giving beams. Precious ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/grace abounding.htm

Psalm CXLVII.
... upon the cross.... 25. "He scattereth mist like ashes." "He scattereth,"
saith the Psalmist, "mist like ashes." Who? He "who giveth ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvii.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... plenty.". "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty.". ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Power Hindered.
... and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and
he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. Wherefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter v power hindered.htm

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
... is an hireling, and whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth
the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvi the shepherd of.htm

Jesus the Good Shepherd.
... not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth
the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: he ...
/.../xxi jesus the good shepherd.htm

And Jesus Said, to Judge the World am I Come...
... are not, when he seeth the wolf as it cometh, leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, [16]
and the wolf cometh, and snatcheth away the sheep, and scattereth [2537] them ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxvii and jesus said.htm

Verily I Say unto You, There Hath not Arisen among those whom ...
... his spoil. [1045] Whosoever is not with me is against me; and [28] whosoever
gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. [1046] For ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xiv verily i say.htm

Epistle ii. From the Roman Clergy to the Carthaginian Clergy ...
... But the hireling, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth
the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf scattereth them." [2131] To Simon, too ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle ii from the roman.htm

Scattereth (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Scattereth (18 Occurrences). Matthew 12:30 He that is
not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. ...
/s/scattereth.htm - 11k

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)
... Gathereth (65 Occurrences). Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me;
and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/g/gathereth.htm - 26k

Scattering (18 Occurrences)

/s/scattering.htm - 11k

Owns (13 Occurrences)
... whose own the sheep are not, doth behold the wolf coming, and doth leave the sheep,
and doth flee; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep; (See ...
/o/owns.htm - 10k

Grindeth (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 32:20 and he taketh the calf which they have made, and burneth 'it' with
fire, and grindeth until 'it is' small, and scattereth on the face of the waters ...
/g/grindeth.htm - 7k

Withholdeth (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is
that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ...
/w/withholdeth.htm - 8k

Winnowest (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 41:16 Thou winnowest them, and a wind lifteth them up, And a whirlwind
scattereth them, And thou -- thou rejoicest in Jehovah, In the Holy One of Israel ...
/w/winnowest.htm - 6k

Wearieth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wearieth (4 Occurrences). Job 37:11 Also by watering he
wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: (KJV WBS). ...
/w/wearieth.htm - 7k

Watering (21 Occurrences)
... (See JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV). Job 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick
cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: (KJV WBS). Psalms ...
/w/watering.htm - 12k

Increaseth (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is
that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. ...
/i/increaseth.htm - 12k

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