Lexical Summary pazar: To scatter, disperse Original Word: פָזַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance disperse, scatter abroad A primitive root; to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty -- disperse, scatter (abroad). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to scatter NASB Translation freely (1), scattered (7), scatters (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּזַר] verb scatter (usually regarded as secondary form of בזר q. v.; Late Hebrew id. Pi`el (opposed to כנס = כנשׁ), Niph`al; Arabic  rend, slit, also separate, disperse); — Qal Passive participle feminine שֶׂה פְזוּרָה Jeremiah 50:17 a scattered sheep is Israel (i.e. driven off, isolated). Niph`al Perfect3plural נִפְזְרוּ Psalm 141:7 our bones are scattered לִפִי שְׁאוֺל. Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular מִּזַּר Psalm 53:6; Psalm 112:9, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יְפַזֵּר Psalm 147:16; 2feminine singular וַתְּפַזְּרִי Jeremiah 3:13; Participle מְפַזֵּר Proverbs 11:24; — scatter Psalm 89:11; Psalm 53:6; Psalm 147:16 (all subject ׳י), Joel 4:2; object דְּרָכַיִךְ Jeremiah 3:13, of Israel running hither and thither to strange gods; absolute of spending money Psalm 112:9 (alms), Proverbs 11:24. Pu`al Participle מְפֻוָּר Esther 3:3 scattered, of Israel I, II. מַּח see פחח. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Imagery פָזַר conveys the idea of throwing, dispersing, or spreading widely. Scripture employs the verb in both negative and positive scenes—bones flung across a battlefield, frost flung across the earth, alms flung across poverty, and a covenant people flung across the nations. The imagery is graphic: what is whole becomes fragmented, or what is hoarded becomes lavishly poured out. Contexts of Judgment and Discipline 1. Divine retaliation against enemies: “You crushed Rahab like a corpse; You scattered Your foes with Your mighty arm” (Psalm 89:10). Sin fractures, and פָזַר depicts the painful consequences when God’s protective hand is withdrawn or when He actively disperses in judgment. Contexts of Generous Distribution Where covenant faithfulness breeds generosity, פָזַר is redeemed. The same verb that describes bones strewn in defeat becomes the verb for benevolence that endures. Generous scattering imitates the divine Giver who “scatters the frost like ashes” (Psalm 147:16), blessing creation with abundance. National Scattering and Divine Restoration Esther 3:8 notes a “certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples,” echoing covenant warnings (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Jeremiah 3:13 rebukes Judah for “scattering favors to strangers,” intensifying the exile that followed. Yet scattering is never the final word. Joel 3:2 promises judgment on the nations precisely because they “scattered” Israel—God affirming He will gather what was dispersed. Scattering therefore frames both the curse of exile and the stage for future regathering. Symbolism in Poetry and Wisdom Psalms employ פָזַר to evoke battlefield carnage (bones), meteorological wonder (frost), and philanthropic virtue (almsgiving). Wisdom literature seizes the paradox: liberality that seems wasteful actually multiplies; stinginess that seems prudent impoverishes (Proverbs 11:24). The verb’s elasticity allows Hebrew poets to move effortlessly between physical, moral, and spiritual realities. Ministry and Sermonic Implications • Judgment: Scattering warns congregations that sin disperses fellowship, unity, and mission. Christological and Eschatological Connections Jesus laments Jerusalem’s unwillingness—“how often I have longed to gather your children” (Matthew 23:37)—revealing His mission to reverse scattering. The cross gathers Jews and Gentiles into one flock (John 11:52). Eschatologically, the ingathering of Israel (Romans 11) and of all the elect (Revelation 7) completes the reversal. Until then, scattering remains a divine tool—discipline for the rebellious, dispersion of witness for the obedient. Practical Application for the Church and Believer 1. Examine whether personal or corporate sin is leading to fragmentation. פָזַר thus spans judgment, generosity, exile, and restoration—revealing a God who both scatters and gathers, wounds and heals, sends away and brings home, all for the glory of His name and the good of His people. Forms and Transliterations וַתְּפַזְּרִ֨י ותפזרי יְפַזֵּֽר׃ יפזר׃ מְ֭פַזֵּר מְפֻזָּ֤ר מפזר נִפְזְר֥וּ נפזרו פְזוּרָ֛ה פִּ֭זַּר פִּזְּר֣וּ פִּזַּ֤ר ׀ פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ פזורה פזר פזרו פזרת fezuRah mə·p̄az·zêr mə·p̄uz·zār Mefazzer mefuzZar məp̄azzêr məp̄uzzār nifzeRu nip̄·zə·rū nip̄zərū p̄ə·zū·rāh p̄əzūrāh piz·zar piz·zar·tā piz·zə·rū pizzar pizZarta pizzartā pizzeRu pizzərū vattefazzeRi wat·tə·p̄az·zə·rî wattəp̄azzərî yə·p̄az·zêr yefazZer yəp̄azzêrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Esther 3:8 HEB: עַם־ אֶחָ֗ד מְפֻזָּ֤ר וּמְפֹרָד֙ בֵּ֣ין NAS: people scattered and dispersed KJV: people scattered abroad and dispersed INT: people certain scattered and dispersed among Psalm 53:5 Psalm 89:10 Psalm 112:9 Psalm 141:7 Psalm 147:16 Proverbs 11:24 Jeremiah 3:13 Jeremiah 50:17 Joel 3:2 10 Occurrences |
    |