Hebrew · H2219, G4650 · unreviewed

זָרָה

To toss about; by implication, to diffuse , winnow · to scatter

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

זָרָה H2219 to toss about; by implication, to diffuse , winnow
Pronunciation zārāh
Motion of dispersal through force or wind; literal winnowing extends to theological scattering of covenant people.
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σκορπίζω G4650 to scatter
Pronunciation skorpízō
Scatter with dispersive force; opposite of gathering or unity, often implying loss of cohesion.
Open lexicon entry →

What does זָרָה (zarah) mean in the Bible?

זָרָה · σκορπίζω is a Hebrew word meaning "to scatter or disperse like seed".

Full entry for זָרָה (H2219, G4650) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to scatter or disperse like seed
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 10×
Imperfect Ezek 5:12 · Ezek 12:14 · Lev 26:33 · Prov 15:7
Participle active Jer 31:10 · Prov 20:8 · Prov 20:26
Perfect Zech 2:2 · Zech 2:4 · Ps 139:3
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense
Participle active Isa 30:24 · Ruth 3:2
Imperfect Ezek 5:2
Sequential imperfect Num 17:2
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject
Imperfect Job 18:15
Participle passive Prov 1:17
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 16 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 6 Participle 5 Perfect 3 Imperative 1 Participle passive 1
Stem
Piel 10 Qal 4 Pual 2
Mood
Indicative/jussive 3 Indicative/cohortative 3 Indicative 3 Imperative 1

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources