Topical Encyclopedia
The term "disperse" in the biblical context often refers to the scattering or spreading out of people, particularly the Israelites, as a result of divine judgment or as part of God's sovereign plan. This concept is significant in understanding the historical and theological narrative of the Bible, especially concerning the themes of exile, judgment, and eventual restoration.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the dispersion of the Israelites is frequently depicted as a consequence of their disobedience to God's commandments. One of the earliest references to dispersion is found in the warnings given to the Israelites if they fail to keep the covenant. In
Deuteronomy 28:64, it is written, "Then the LORD will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other." This dispersion is portrayed as a form of divine punishment intended to bring the people to repentance.
The prophets also speak of dispersion in the context of judgment. For example, in
Jeremiah 9:16, God declares, "I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off." Here, dispersion is linked with the sword, symbolizing the severity of God's judgment.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of dispersion takes on additional layers of meaning. The Jewish diaspora, or the scattering of Jews outside of Israel, is acknowledged in the context of the early Christian mission. In
John 7:35, the Jews question, "Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?" This reflects the widespread presence of Jews throughout the Roman Empire and the potential for the spread of the Gospel among them.
The dispersion also serves as a backdrop for the spread of Christianity. The scattering of believers due to persecution, as seen in
Acts 8:1, where "a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria," led to the further dissemination of the Gospel message.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, dispersion is not only a form of judgment but also a means through which God accomplishes His purposes. The scattering of the Israelites and later the early Christians serves to fulfill God's promises and extend His reach to the nations. In
Ezekiel 11:16, God provides a message of hope amidst dispersion: "Although I have sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone."
The theme of dispersion ultimately points to the hope of regathering and restoration. The prophets often speak of a future time when God will gather His people from the nations.
Isaiah 11:12 proclaims, "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
In summary, the concept of "disperse" in the Bible encompasses both judgment and hope, reflecting God's justice and mercy. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the sovereignty of God in history, and the promise of restoration for His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are dispersed among all nations.
2. (v. t.) To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to disperse vapors.
3. (v. i.) To separate; to go or move into different parts; to vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the clouds disperse.
4. (v. i.) To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with others.
Greek
1289. diaspeiro -- to sow throughout, ie fig.disperse (in foreign......disperse (in foreign lands). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaspeiro Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-as-pi'-ro) Short Definition: I scatter like seed Definition
...1287. diaskorpizo -- generally to separate, spec. to winnow, fig....
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaskorpizo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-kor-
pid'-zo) Short Definition: I scatter, winnow,disperse, waste Definition: I...
4650. skorpizo -- to scatter
... to scatter. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: skorpizo Phonetic Spelling:
(skor-pid'-zo) Short Definition: Idisperse Definition: Idisperse, scatter abroad...
1262. dialuo -- to break up
... to break up. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dialuo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-al-oo'-o) Short Definition: I break up,disperse Definition: I break up...
4496. rhipto -- to throw, cast, spec. to throw off, toss
... and from teino (see in ekteino), which indicates an extended projection); by
qualification, to deposit (as if a load); by extension, todisperse -- cast (down...
Strong's Hebrew
5310b. naphats -- todisperse, be scattered... 5310a, 5310b. naphats. 5311 . to
disperse, be scattered. Transliteration:
naphats Short Definition:
disperse. Word Origin a prim.
...6327. puwts -- to be dispersed or scattered
... break dash, shake in to pieces, cast abroad,disperse selves, drive, scatter
abroad, spread abroad A primitive root; to dash in...
2219. zarah -- to scatter, fan, winnow
... root Definition to scatter, fan, winnow NASB Word Usagedisperse (5), dispersed
(1), disperses (1), north (1), scatter (13), scattered (7), scrutinize (1...
6340. pazar -- to scatter
...disperse, scatter abroad. A primitive root; to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty --
disperse, scatter (abroad). 6339, 6340. pazar. 6341 . Strong's Numbers
6504. parad -- to divide
...disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter abroad, separate self, sever
self, stretch,. A primitive root; to break through, ie...
6555. parats -- to break through
... abroad, make a breach, break away, down burst out, come spread abroad, compel,
disperse, grow,. A primitive root; to break out (in...
5380. nashab -- to blow
... cause to blow, drive away. A primitive root; to blow; by implication, todisperse --
(cause to) blow, drive away. 5379, 5380. nashab. 5381 . Strong's Numbers
6566. paras -- to spread out, spread
... break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread abroad, forth, selves, out,.
A primitive root; to break apart,disperse, etc. -- break...
6567. parash -- to make distinct, declare
... A primitive root; to separate, literally (todisperse) or figuratively (to specify);
also (by implication) to wound -- scatter, declare, distinctly, shew, sting...
6327a. puts -- to be dispersed or scattered
... root Definition to be dispersed or scattered NASB Word Usagedisperse yourselves
(1), dispersed (2), dispersed* (1), disperses (1), harry (1), pour (1...
Library
We must Consider the Fact, which Comes First, and So in Order...
... the members cease they will become superfluous: and that our bodies themselves will
grow a?�rial and spirit-like, and gradually vanish anddisperse into thin...
Of the Birth of Our Saviour, Whereby the Word was Made Flesh; and...
... My God hath shown me concerning mine enemies, that Thou shalt not slay them, lest
they should at last forget Thy law:disperse them in Thy might." [1227...
Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
... Then the governor announces that if they do not submit anddisperse, he
will be obliged to have recourse to force. If the crowd...
You have Therefore the Will of My God. ...
... to do good by imitating the malady, to destroy death by death, to dissipate killing
by killing, to dispel tortures by tortures, todisperse [8251] punishments...
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Principle of all Good Actions...
... it, becomes the more active and more easy to be excited; so that upon any the least
occasion offered it is ready to bestir itself anddisperse its odours and...
How Taricheae was Taken. A Description of the River Jordan, and of...
... multitude of them were gotten together in the plain that was before the city, he
thereupon sent his son, with six hundred chosen horsemen, todisperse them....
The Service Common to Two and Many Nuns.
... Shining above as God-like rays, with intellectual rays ye enlighten the world,disperse
the darkness and drive away the troops of the evil demons; wherefore we...
From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the...
... At first they met with opposition, and even persecution, from persons who
came to their meeting todisperse them. On one of these...
Letter ii (AD 1126) to the Monk Adam
... a disperser? And when God invites you to unite with Him, ought you rather
to follow a man who wishes todisperse you? He scorned...
From the Second Chapter.
... Finally, unless this is done, He threatened to remove their candlestick
out of its place, that is, todisperse the congregation....
Thesaurus
Disperse (13 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to
disperse vapors.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Disperse (13 Occurrences).
...Scatter (65 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cause to separate in different directions; to reduce from a close or
compact to a loose or broken order; to dissipate; todisperse....
Countries (86 Occurrences)
... authority. (BBE). Psalms 106:27 And that he would make their seed fall among
the nations, anddisperse them through the countries. (DBY)....
Dispersed (28 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofDisperse. 2. (a.) Scattered.
Multi-Version Concordance Dispersed (28 Occurrences). John...
Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... answer to, or the result of. 8. (vi) Todisperse or scatter; to discuss,
as an inflammation or a tumor. 9. (vi) To let the tones...
Dwindle (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To make less; to bring low. 3. (vt) To break; todisperse. 4. (n.)
The process of dwindling; dwindlement; decline; degeneracy....
Devastated (20 Occurrences)
... among the cities that are laid waste shall be a desolation forty years; and I will
scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and willdisperse them through the...
Dispenses (2 Occurrences)
Desolated (21 Occurrences)
... in the midst of the cities that are laid waste, a desolation forty years; and I
will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and willdisperse them through...
Defeat (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check,disperse, or ruin by victory;
to overthrow. 4. (vt) To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault....
Resources
What can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)? | GotQuestions.orgDisperse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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