A Hebrew verb meaning to scatter, disperse, dash to pieces, break apart. It describes both physical and spiritual scattering — armies routed in battle, peoples dispersed among nations, and flocks scattered without a shepherd. It carries strong judgment overtones but also eschatological hope, since God promises to regather what was scattered.
The theology of scattering and gathering is a major biblical motif. Puts is used of Israel's exile — God scattering His people among the nations as covenant judgment (Ezekiel 34:5-6). Yet the same prophets who announce scattering also announce regathering. In Ezekiel 34, God condemns the shepherds who allowed the flock to scatter, then promises to be the True Shepherd who gathers them. Jesus echoes this in John 10 and quotes Zechariah 13:7: 'Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' The Cross was the ultimate scattering — and the Resurrection the ultimate regathering.