"to disperse, scatter, Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27; to dissipate, waste, Lk. 15:13; 16:1; to winnow, or, to strew, Mt. 25:24, 26"
Definition and meaning
to disperse, scatter, Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27; to dissipate, waste, Lk. 15:13; 16:1; to winnow, or, to strew, Mt. 25:24, 26
In the original Greek the word is written: διασκορπίζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of diaskorpizo (G1287) across the King James Bible.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
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Common questions
Strong's G1287 (diaskorpizo) is a Greek word that means: to disperse, scatter, Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27; to dissipate, waste, Lk. 15:13; 16:1; to winnow, or, to strew, Mt. 25:24, 26 It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word diaskorpizo (G1287) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1287 is diaskorpizo, a Greek word defined as: to disperse, scatter, Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27; to dissipate, waste, Lk. 15:13; 16:1; to winnow, or, to strew, Mt. 25:24, 26. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
diaskorpizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.