διασπείρω

From the study of Acts 11:19

Range of meaning

To scatter or disperse in different directions. It is built on σπείρω, "to sow seed", with the prefix δια-, "throughout". It is used of scattering people (armies, populations, exiles), and literally of sowing or spreading. It is closely related to διασπορά, "dispersion/diaspora", the standard word for Jews living outside the land.

Against the English

"Scattered" (all major versions) is accurate. English loses the link to "diaspora" and the faint sowing picture inside the word.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) the verb and the noun διασπορά describe Israel scattered among the nations as covenant judgment (e.g. Deut 28:25; 30:4; Jer 15:7). By Jesus' day διασπορά was simply the name for Jewish communities abroad (John 7:35; James 1:1; 1 Pet 1:1). In the New Testament the verb appears only in Acts 8:1, 8:4 and 11:19.

From the study of Acts 8:1

Range of meaning

Dia ('throughout') + speirō ('to sow seed'). It means to scatter, disperse or spread abroad, used of people, armies or seed. In the Septuagint it often describes Israel being scattered among the nations as a covenant judgment, and the related noun diaspora names the Jewish dispersion.

Against the English

'Scattered' is accurate. What English cannot carry is the sowing root and the echo of Israel's 'diaspora', which a Greek-speaking Jew would have heard.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint: Deut 28:64 and 30:3 and Neh 1:8 (scattering among the peoples); Jer 15:7. NT: only Acts 8:1, 8:4 and 11:19. The noun diaspora appears in John 7:35, Jas 1:1 and 1 Pet 1:1.

From the study of Acts 8:4

Range of meaning

To scatter or spread abroad. It is used of seed thrown across a field, of a crowd or army breaking up, and above all of a people driven out of its homeland and dispersed. The verb is made from dia- ("through, apart") and speirō ("to sow"). The related noun diaspora became the standard name for Jews living outside the land of Israel.

Against the English

"Scattered" is accurate. English loses the link to "diaspora" and to sowing, both of which a Greek-speaking Jew could hear in the word.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) it is the regular word for Israel's dispersion as covenant judgment: "the LORD will scatter you among all peoples" (Deut 28:64; compare Deut 4:27; 30:3; Jer 9:16). The noun diaspora appears in Deut 28:25 and in James 1:1 and 1 Pet 1:1 for believers living away from home. In the New Testament the verb appears only in Acts 8:1, 8:4 and 11:19.