Poor
“Ani: afflicted, humble; Dal: weak, lowly; Evyon: needy, wanting”
Summary
Scripture reveals God's special concern for the poor, establishing numerous provisions for their care in the Mosaic law while also using 'poor in spirit' to describe those who recognize their spiritual need before God.
☩God's Care for the Poor
The very foundation of Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people in Egypt, a fact Israel was never to forget (Deuteronomy 24:22). While Deuteronomy 15:4 expresses the ideal that there should be no poor in Israel if they obey God's commands, verse 11 recognizes the ongoing reality: 'The poor will never cease out of the land.' Therefore God established extensive provisions for their protection. Jesus proclaimed that 'the poor have the gospel preached to them' as evidence of his messianic mission (Matthew 11:5).
☩Legal Provisions
The Mosaic law contained remarkable protections for the poor. Gleaning rights allowed the poor to gather from field corners and fallen grain (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-21). In sabbatical years, the land's produce belonged to all, including the poor (Exodus 23:11). Interest on loans to fellow Israelites was forbidden, and pledged garments had to be returned before sundown (Exodus 22:25-27). Tithes every third year went to Levites and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Permanent bondage of Israelites was prohibited, with release in sabbatical and jubilee years (Leviticus 25:39-54).
☩New Testament Teaching
Jesus pronounced blessing on the poor—both materially (Luke 6:20) and spiritually (Matthew 5:3, 'poor in spirit'). The early church made care for the poor a priority, appointing the Seven to ensure equitable distribution (Acts 6:1-6). Paul collected offerings for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:26). James warns against showing partiality to the rich while dishonoring the poor, declaring that God has chosen the poor to be 'rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom' (James 2:1-9). Christ himself, 'though he was rich, for your sakes became poor' (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Related Verses280 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Poor," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Poor," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.George Morrish, "Poor," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Poor Poverty," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).