UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: region in which people are scattered, diaspora

Semantic entry: 15.137

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Disperse, Scatter

Definition: (derivative of διασπείρω ‘to scatter,’ 15.136: διαλύω / 15.136: διασκορπίζω / 15.136: διασπείρω) the region or area in which persons have been scattered (particularly a reference to the nation of Israel which had been scattered throughout the ancient world)

Notes: For the most part, the phrase ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς in RV JAM 1:1 · LV JAM 1:1 · Read together JAM 1:1 has been interpreted as a reference to believers in Christ. In translating, one may render the term διασπορά as ‘in all the regions where they have been scattered,’ thus rendering this expression in RV JAM 1:1 · LV JAM 1:1 · Read together JAM 1:1 as ‘greetings to all of God’s people in all of the regions in which they have been scattered.’