The Greek verb diaskorpizo means to scatter, disperse, or squander — to spread out in all directions. It describes both the physical scattering of a crowd or flock and the wasteful squandering of resources.
The word appears in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where the younger son 'scattered' (diaskorpizo) his wealth in reckless living (Luke 15:13). It also appears in Jesus's warning: 'Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters' (Matthew 12:30). The contrast between gathering and scattering is a fundamental Kingdom dynamic — the enemy scatters what God gathers.