Original Word: בָּזר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: bazar
Pronunciation: bah-ZAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-zar')
KJV: scatter
NASB: distribute, scattered
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to disperse

scatter

A primitive root; to disperse -- scatter.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to scatter
NASB Translation
distribute (1), scattered (1).

[בָּזַר] verb scatter (Arabic , Aramaic בְּדַר) —

Qal Imperfect Daniel 11:24 בִּזָּה וְשָׁלָל וּרְכוּשׁ לָהֶם יִבְז֑וֺר plunder and spoil and possessions he will scatter among them (subject Antiochus Epiph.)

Pi`el Perfect בִּזַּר, id., Psalm 68:31, but read Imperative (בַּזַּר) בַּזֵּר (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9 so most; De follows MT), subject reference to ׳י, object עַמִּים.

Root Idea: Scattering or Dispersion

The term conveys the deliberate act of spreading abroad or throwing wide apart. In Scripture it is never a random scattering; motive lies either in divine judgment or calculated human strategy. It therefore invites reflection on how power—whether God’s or a ruler’s—is exerted to displace, redistribute, or dissipate.

Canonical Occurrences

1. Psalm 68:30 presents a prayer that the Lord will “scatter the nations who delight in war.”
2. Daniel 11:24 depicts a future invader who “will distribute plunder, spoils, and wealth among them.”

Though the contexts differ, both passages highlight an authority figure initiating dispersion for a particular end: in the Psalm, God thwarting aggression; in Daniel, a king purchasing loyalty.

Psalm 68:30 – Divine Rebuke of Militaristic Nations

“Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples… scatter the nations who delight in war.”

The Psalmist views international conflict through a worship lens. The request is not merely political but theological: God’s holiness demands that warmongers be dispersed. Scattering here is protective, sheltering the covenant people by dissolving hostile coalitions. It echoes earlier divine interventions such as the confusion of tongues at Babel (Genesis 11) and the driving out of Canaanite nations (Exodus 23:27-30). Each instance underscores the Lord’s sovereign right to divide when wicked alliances threaten His redemptive purposes.

Daniel 11:24 – The Self-Serving Distribution of Plunder

“Without warning he will invade the richest provinces… he will distribute plunder, spoils, and wealth among them.”

The prophecy, commonly linked to Antiochus IV Epiphanes and typologically to the final Antichrist, portrays scattering as political patronage. Wealth is strewn among followers to consolidate power. It parodies the generosity of the true King, exhibiting how godless rulers mimic divine benevolence for corrupt ends. The tactic works only “for a time,” signaling the temporary nature of unrighteous dominion.

Interplay With Other Biblical Themes

• Judgment versus Mercy: Scattering humbles prideful nations (Psalm 92:9) yet prepares the ground for eventual gathering (Isaiah 11:12).
• Stewardship of Wealth: Whereas Daniel’s tyrant disperses riches to manipulate, the Mosaic law mandates distribution to relieve poverty (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). God’s people are warned to discern motives behind generosity.
• Warfare and Peace: Psalm 68 contrasts human lust for battle with divine zeal for peace. Scattering hostile forces may precede the enthronement of the Messiah who “makes wars cease to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 46:9).

Historical Backdrop

Psalm 68 likely celebrates events such as the Ark’s ascent to Jerusalem or victories under David, contexts in which surrounding tribes nursed expansionist ambitions. The plea for scattering would resonate with worshipers aware of ever-present threats.

Daniel 11 speaks into the Hellenistic era, when breaking up and reallocating territory was standard imperial policy. The prophecy forecasts that such tactics, though shrewd, cannot overturn God’s fixed timeline.

Lessons for Faith and Practice

• Prayer Against Violence: Believers may rightly ask God to disperse aggressive movements today, trusting His moral governance of history.
• Discernment in Leadership: Distribution of resources is not inherently righteous; congregations must weigh whether generosity reflects Christlike service or self-promotion.
• Hope in Final Gathering: The scattering of the wicked anticipates the ultimate ingathering of the righteous. Even when dispersion appears chaotic, it serves the larger account culminating in the Lamb’s unified kingdom (Revelation 7:9-10).

Connections to New Testament Revelation

The antagonist in Daniel foreshadows the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10) who will deceive many with apparent beneficence. Conversely, Jesus Christ multiplies bread not to buy allegiance but to reveal Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:1-35). The contrast reinforces that true lordship seeks worship, not exploitation.

In Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 967 depicts scattering as an instrument wielded by both heaven and earth. In Psalm 68 it preserves divine order; in Daniel 11 it exposes human ambition. For the church, the term summons intercession against violence, vigilance in evaluating leaders, and confidence that every scatter has its season until the Lord gathers all things in Christ.

בִּזַּ֥ר בזר יִבְז֑וֹר יבזור biz·zar bizzar yiḇ·zō·wr yiḇzōwr yivZorInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts