[Greek] διασκορπίζω (diaskorpizō), [Latin] spargere, [French] disperser, [German] spritzen: to squander, to separate, to winnow, to scatter, to dissipate; Mt.25:24,26, Mt.26:31, Mk.14:27, Lk.1:51, Lk.15:13, Lk.16:1, Jn.11:52, Acts 5:37
The scorpion has become that iconic arachnid that scurries and scatters across the sand.
Background information:
Scorpion: This term is also related to the Greek skorpios, meaning penetrating. This term is also related to the Hebrew Akrabh (a-crab). Interestingly, the scorpion is related to the Greek nephos (prodigal). Prodigal means wasteful, lavish, and given to extravagance. Nepidae (water scorpion) consumes its offspring except for the one that has settled on its back. For in turn, the very one that has been saved will later consume the parent. Prodigals are those who riotously consume their parents’ property.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to scatter, to disperse, to squander and to divide. Democritus states “Fools squander what they have.” Sophocles’ Antigone 1284 states “Believe me, when a man has squandered his true joys, he’s good as dead, I tell you, a living corpse.” Polybius’ Histories 27.2 states “Thus it came about that the Boeotians were entirely disintegrated and split up into separate cities.” Plutarch Timoleon 4 states “For his horse was wounded and threw him among the enemy, and of his comrades, some scattered in panic flight, while the few remained and fought against great numbers and with great difficulty holding their ground.”
Old Testament: This term means to scatter, to sprinkle, to banish, to separate, to divide, to waver, to shake, and to disperse. Scattering, dispersing, and smiting pertain to God’s judgment against followers and enemies. In a profoundly paraxodical sense, God smites the Good shepherd as part of God’s providence. This foreshadows the scattering of disciples and other followers (sheep). These dispersed sheep (Gentiles) will later return to the fold in following Christ. The Lord will scatter you among the nations, and there shall remain but a handful of you among the nations (Deut.4:27). Who guided you through the vast desert with its serpents and scorpions (Deut.8:15). Flash forth lightning and scatter my foes (Psa.143:6). Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed (Zech.13:7). He will gather you from all the Gentiles among whom you have been scattered (Tob.13:5). The horsemen too were scattered over the plain (1Macc.10:83).
New Testament: This term means to scatter, to disperse, to abandon, and to squander. In the parable of the talents, the master scolds the lazy servant who buried his talent. This servant failed to be fruitful in using the gifts he has received. Jesus prophesies that the Good Shepherd will be stricken and the sheep will be dispersed. In her canticle, Mary claims that the Lord has dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father welcomes back his younger son who squandered his inheritance. The high priest Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation and that the dispersed children of God will be gathered into one fold. Gamaliel offers sage wisdom about the durability of human inspired events and God inspired events.
Scripture:
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘This night all of you will have your faith in Me shaken, for it is written; I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed.’” Mt.26:31
Jesus makes this paradoxical statement at the Last Supper, just before His eventual arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus makes reference to Zech.13:7. Jesus states that God will smite the Good Shepherd and the sheep (disciples and followers) will disperse. This prophecy also foretells that a one third of the followers will come back to the fold.
“After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance of a life of dissipation.” Lk.15:13
In the parable of the prodigal son, the father gave his younger son a share of his estate. The younger son returns to his father. The father, imaging the heavenly Father, later welcomes his son back after he had squandered his inheritance.
“After Theudas came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and who were loyal to him scattered.” Acts 5:37
Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, unwittingly offers sage advice about the durability of movements (activities). If this endeavor is of human origin, it will destroy itself. If this endeavor comes from God, it will not be destroyed.
Conclusion:
Nepotism, spritze, disperse, dispersal, dissipate, dissipation, sparse, sprinkle, diaspora
The scorpion is often universally seen as that scary arachnid scattering and penetrating across the sand. It was interesting to discover the related Latin terms. It is evident that this term can be used in a literal, metaphorical, and psychological sense. Polybius illustrates scattering with destruction and struggles. Plutarch illustrates scattering in panic. Sophocles and Democritus illustrate squandering in losing important intangible qualities (joys, talents, good will, values, etc.)
In the Old Testament, this term conveys various meanings. The more interesting meanings include: to abandon, to reject, to leave behind, and to free. The term diaspora is also related to this term. In the Great Diaspora, a large number of Jews were dispersed beyond Israel. The Emperor Claudius also expelled the Jews from Rome. Old Testament prophecies about scattering sheep and foes and wisdom about squandering later appear in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, scattering and squandering are related in how one uses what one receives (talents and inheritance). Depending on the circumstances, one may receive punishment or forgiveness. It is important to note that Jesus mentions that God will strike the Good shepherd just before entering into the garden. Peter, strenuously objects yet will later deny Jesus three times. The infinite mercy of the Father is imaged in the father welcoming back his wasteful young son. So a prodigal son is a wasteful son consuming his parents’ resources. (I think many parents can relate!).
Sometimes even great wisdom can come from unexpected sources. Caiaphus prophesied that not only Jesus would die for the nation, but also that the dispersed children (sheep) would gather into the one fold. Gamaliel also shares wisdom about the durability of movements. If God is not of its origin, this movement may or will likely perish.
Update: The left, progressives, and liberals, and their media surrogates have squandered any semblance of goodwill or respect from the other side*. Many of us have been praying so that we can get our country back while hoping that these disastrous policies will perish, dissipate, and scatter.
“Good people don’t need laws for them to act responsibly and bad people will find a way around these laws.” * Plato
My next post is about taking. I hope you will take this up for consideration.