Scatter
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
is used in Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23; John 10:12; 16:32; 2—Corinthians 9:9 , RV. See Disperse , No. 2.
"to scatter abroad," is rendered "to scatter" in Matthew 25:24,26 , RV (AV, "strawed"); 26:31; Mark 14:27; Luke 1:51; John 11:52; Acts 5:37 , RV. See Disperse , No. 3.
"to scatter abroad" (dia, "throughout," speiro, "to sow seed"), is used in Acts 8:1,4; 11:19 , all of the church in Jerusalem "scattered" through persecution; the word in general is suggestive of the effects of the "scattering" in the sowing of the spiritual seed of the Word of life. See Disperse , No. 4.
"to throw, cast, hurl, to be cast down, prostrate," is used in Matthew 9:36 of people who were "scattered" as sheep without a shepherd. See Cast , No. 2, Throw
"to winnow" (likmos, "a winnowing fan"), is rendered "will scatter ... as dust" in Matthew 21:44; Luke 20:18 , RV (AV, "will grind...to powder"). See Grind , Note.
"to dissolve," is translated "scattered" in Acts 5:36 , AV; see Disperse , No. 1.
"a dispersion," is rendered "scattered abroad" in James 1:1 , AV; "scattered" in 1—Peter 1:1 , AV; see Dispersion , B.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words [2]
Pûts ( פָּצַץ , Strong'S #6327), “to scatter, disperse, be scattered.” This term is found in both ancient and modern Hebrew. Occurring some 65 times in the Hebrew Old Testament, the word is found for the first time in Gen. 10:18: “… The families of the Canaanites spread abroad.” The word is used 3 times in the story of the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4, 8-9), apparently to emphasize how men and their languages “were spread” throughout the world.
Pûts , in the sense of “scattering,” often has an almost violent connotation to it. Thus, when Saul defeated the Ammonites, “they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together” (1 Sam. 11:11). Such “scattering” of forces seems to have been a common thing after defeats in battle (1 Kings 22:17; 2 Kings 25:5). Many references are made to Israel as a people and nation “being scattered” among the nations, especially in the imagery of a scattered flock of sheep (Ezek. 34:5- 6; Zech. 13:7). Ezekiel also promises the gathering together of this scattered flock: “… I will even gather you from the people, … where ye have been scattered …” (Ezek. 11:17; 20:34, 41).
In a figurative sense, this word is used to refer to lightning as arrows which God “scatters” (2 Sam. 22:15). According to Job, “the clouds scatter his lightning” (Job 37:11, RSV). No harvest is possible unless first the seeds “are scattered” in rows (Isa. 28:25).
King James Dictionary [3]
Scat'Ter, L scateo, discutio Gr. to scatter, to discuss. This word may be formed on the root of discutio. The primary sense is to drive or throw.
1. To disperse to dissipate to separate or remove things to a distance from each other.
From thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Genesis 11 .
I will scatter you among the heathen. Leviticus 26 .
2. To throw loosely about to sprinkle as, to scatter seed in sowing.
Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly, soft quiet, gentle love and endless joy.
3. To spread or set thinly.
Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, their scatter'd cottages, and ample plains.
SCAT'TER,
1. To be dispersed or dissipated. The clouds scatter after a storm. 2. To be liberal to the poor to be charitable. Proverbs 11 .
Webster's Dictionary [4]
(1): ( v. t.) To cause to separate in different directions; to reduce from a close or compact to a loose or broken order; to dissipate; to disperse.
(2): ( v. i.) To be dispersed or dissipated; to disperse or separate; as, clouds scatter after a storm.
(3): ( v. t.) Hence, to frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow; as, to scatter hopes, plans, or the like.
(4): ( v. t.) To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw down loosely; to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or sparse order.
