Bible Dictionary: Beggar

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner.

2. (n.) One who makes it his business to ask alms.

3. (n.) One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use.

4. (n.) One who assumes in argument what he does not prove.

5. (v. t.) To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared himself.

6. (v. t.) To cause to seem very poor and inadequate.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING

1. No Law Concerning Beggars or Begging in Israel:

It is significant that the Mosaic law contains no enactment concerning beggars, or begging, though it makes ample provision for the relief and care of "the poor in the land." Biblical Hebrew seems to have no term for professional begging, the nearest approach to it being the expressions "to ask (or seek) bread" and "to wander." This omission certainly is not accidental; it comports with the very nature of the Mosaic law, the spirit of which is breathed in this, among other kindred provisions, that a poor Hebrew who even sold himself for debt to his wealthy brother was allowed to serve him only until the Jubilee (See JUBILEE), and his master was forbidden to treat him as a sl ave (Leviticus 25:39). These laws, as far as actually practiced, have always virtually done away with beggars and begging among the Jews.

2. Begging Not Unknown to the Ancient Jews:

Begging, however, came to be known to the Jews in the course of time with the development of the larger cities, either as occurring among themselves, or among neighboring or intermingling peoples, as may be inferred from Psalm 59:15; compare Psalm 109:10, where Yahweh is besought that the children of the wicked may be cursed with beggary, in contra-distinction to the children of the righteous, who have never had to ask bread (Psalm 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed asking (English Versions, "begging") bread.") For the Hebrew expression not corresponding to "begging" see Psalm 59:15, "They shall wander up and down for food"; and compare Psalm 119:10, "Let me wander," etc.

3. Begging and Alms-taking Denounced in Jewish Literature:

The first clear denunciation of beggary and almstaking in Jewish literature is found in Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 40:28-30, where the Hebrew for "begging" is to "wander," ete, as in Psalm 59:15, according to the edition of Cowley and Neubauer; Oxford, 1897. There as well as in Tobit, and in the New Testament, where beggars are specifically mentioned, the word eleemosune has assumed the special sense of alms given to the begging poor (compare Tobit 4:7, 16, 17; 12:8-11; Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3:14, 30; 7:10; 16:14; Matthew 6:2-4; Matthew 20:30-34 Mark 10:46-52 Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33 John 9:1-41 Acts 9:36; Acts 10:2, 4, 31; 24:17).

4. Professional Beggars a Despised Class: As to professional beggars, originally, certainly, and for a long time, they were a despised class among the Hebrews; and the Jewish communities are forbidden to support them from the general charity fund (BB, 9a; Yoreh De`ah, 250, 3). But the spirit of the law is evinced again in that it is likewise forbidden to drive a beggar away without an alms (ha-Yadh ha-Chazaqah, in the place cited 7 7).

5. In the Gospel Age:

Begging was well known and beggars formed a considerable class in the gospel age. Proof of this is found in the references to almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7 and parallels), and in the accounts of beggars in connection with public places, e.g. the entrance to Jericho. (Matthew 20:30 and parallels), which was a gateway to pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to the great festivals and in the neighborhood of rich men's houses (Luke 16:20), and especially the gates of the Temple at Jerusalem (Acts 3:2). This prevalence of begging was due largely to the want of any adequate system of ministering relief, to the lack of any true medical science and the resulting ignorance of remedies for common diseases like ophthalmia, for instance, and to the impoverishment of the land under the excessive taxation of the Roman government (Hausrath, History of New Testament Times, I, 188 (Eng. translation Williams and Norgate), compare Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus, II, 178). That begging was looked down upon is incidentally evidenced by the remark of the unjust steward, "To beg I am ashamed" (Luke 16:3); and that, when associated with indolence, it was strongly condemned by public opinion appears from Sirach (40:28-30).

The words used for "beg," "beggar" of English Versions of the Bible in the New Testament differ radically in idea: in those formed from aiteo (Mark 10:46 Luke 16:3; Luke 18:35 John 9:8 the Revised Version (British and American)) the root idea is that of "asking," while ptochos (Luke 16:20, 22) suggests the cringing or crouching of a beggar. But see Matthew 5:3 where the word for "humble" is ptochos.

6. A Change in Modern Times:

A marked change has come over Jewish life in modern times, in this as well as in other respect. Since the 17th century the Jewish poor in many parts of the world have made it a practice, especially on Fridays and on the eves of certain festivals, to go systematically from house to house asking alms. In parts of Europe today it is a full-grown abuse: crowds of Jewish beggars push their way and ply their trade about the synagogue doors (Abrahams, EB, article "Alms," 310). So the Jewish beggar, in spite of the spirit of the law and ancient Jewish custom, has, under modern conditions too well known to require explanation here, become a troublesome figure and problem in modern Jewish society. For such beggars and begging, see Jew Encyclopedia, articles "Schnorrers," "Alms," etc., and for another kind of begging among modern Jews, and collections for poverty-stricken Jewish settlers in Palestine, see the articles "Chalukah," "Charity," etc.

LITERATURE.

Saalschiutz, Arch. der Hebraer, II, chapter xviii (Konigsberg, 1855-56); Riehm Handworterbuch zu den Buchern des A T, under the word "Almosen "; compare Jew Encyclopedia, HDB, and Encyclopedia B, arts, "Alms"; and Abrahams, Jewish Life in the Middle Ages, chapters xvii, xviii (Philadelphia, 1896); Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs; Day, The Social Life of the Hebrews.

George B. Eager

Greek

4433. ptocheuo -- to be a beggar, be destitute
... to be a beggar, be destitute. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ptocheuo Phonetic
Spelling: (pto-khyoo'-o) Short Definition: I am in poverty Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4433.htm - 7k

4319b. prosaites -- a beggar
... prosaites. 4320 . a beggar. Transliteration: prosaites Short Definition: beggar.
Word Origin from prosaiteo Definition a beggar NASB Word Usage beggar (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4319b.htm - 5k

924. Bartimaios -- "son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar
... "son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar. Part of ... Word Origin of Aramaic origin Definition
"son of Timaeus," Bartimaeus, a beggar NASB Word Usage Bartimaeus (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/924.htm - 6k

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... 4434 (from , "to crouch or cower like a beggar") -- properly, bent over; (figuratively)
, completely lacking resources (earthly wealth) -- ie . ... beggar, poor. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

2976. Lazaros -- Lazarus, the name of two Israelites
... Masculine Transliteration: Lazaros Phonetic Spelling: (lad'-zar-os) Short Definition:
Lazarus, Eliezer Definition: Lazarus, Eliezer, (a) the beggar, (b) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2976.htm - 6k

1871. epaiteo -- to beg
... beg. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epaiteo Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ahee-teh'-
o) Short Definition: I beg, ask alms Definition: I beg, am a beggar, ask alms ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1871.htm - 6k

5090. Timaios -- "highly prized," Timaeus, an Israelite
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Timaios Phonetic Spelling: (tim'-ah-yos) Short
Definition: Timaeus Definition: Timaeus, father of the blind beggar Bartimaeus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5090.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

34. ebyon -- in want, needy, poor
... beggar, needy, poor man. From 'abah, in the sense of want (especially in feeling);
destitute -- beggar, needy, poor (man). see HEBREW 'abah. 33, 34. ...
/hebrew/34.htm - 6k

Library

The Blind Beggar
... The Blind Beggar. A Sermon (No.266). ... One thinks it scarcely possible to resist
the cry of a beggar whom we meet in the street if he is blind. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

The Rich Man and the Beggar.
... THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR. There was ... day. There was also a poor beggar,
who was ragged and hungry, and covered with sores. His ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the rich man and the.htm

The Beggar. Mt 7:7-8
... MATTHEW Hymn 81 The beggar. Mt 7:7-8. John Newton 6,6,6,6,8,8. The beggar. Matthew
7:7-8. Encouraged by thy word. Of promise to the poor; Behold, a beggar, LORD ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 81 the beggar mt.htm

The Beggar Woman.
... Book VII. Chapter XIII."The Beggar Woman. But when Peter had admired only
the columns, being no wise ravished with the grace of ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xiii the beggar woman.htm

The Artist and the Beggar.
... The Artist and the Beggar. I ... He told the poor beggar he would pay him well
if he came to his room and sat for the portrait. The ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the artist and the beggar.htm

The Blind Beggar.
... The Blind Beggar. Here is a whole chapter in John (ix) of forty-one verses,
just to tell how the Lord blessed that blind beggar. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the blind beggar.htm

If it Here be Asked, Whether I Would have all Private Christians ...
... Address 172: If it here be asked, whether I would have all private Christians
to beggar themselves� If it here be asked, whether ...
/.../address 172 0 0 if it here.htm

On the Source and Cause of True Joy, --The Example of the Joyous ...
... Book VI. Chapter VI."On the Source and Cause of True Joy,"The Example of
the Joyous Beggar Being Adduced. 9. I longed for honours ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi on the source and.htm

The Contrast.
... and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus.". ... First, there is the contrast in
the life of these two men. The one rich, the other a beggar. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxvi the contrast.htm

Cii. Bartimæus and his Companion Healed.
... last journey went in advance of the crowd, and hence he had already entered Jericho
before the sounds of the following multitude roused the beggar to question ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cii bartimaeus and his companion.htm

Thesaurus

Beggar (5 Occurrences)
... beggared himself. 6. (vt) To cause to seem very poor and inadequate. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No ...
/b/beggar.htm - 15k

Beggarly (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a beggar; extremely
indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible. ...
/b/beggarly.htm - 8k

Begging (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Beg. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No Law Concerning Beggars ...
/b/begging.htm - 18k

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... to house; to live by asking alms. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEG;
BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No Law Concerning Beggars or Begging ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)
... Lazarus to death. (2.) A beggar named in the parable recorded Luke
16:19-31. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LAZARUS. laz'-a-rus ...
/l/lazarus.htm - 21k

Vagrant (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who strolls idly from place to place; one who has no settled habitation;
an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an incorrigible rogue; a vagabond. ...
/v/vagrant.htm - 7k

Bartimaeus (1 Occurrence)
... In Mark (Mark 10:46-52) Bartimeus is given as the name of a blind beggar, whose
eyes Jesus Christ opened as He went out from Jericho on His last journey to ...
/b/bartimaeus.htm - 8k

Named (428 Occurrences)
... As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of
Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. (See NAS). ...
/n/named.htm - 33k

Begetting (20 Occurrences)

/b/begetting.htm - 11k

Sitting (201 Occurrences)
... As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son
of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. ...
/s/sitting.htm - 40k

Bible Concordance

Beggar (5 Occurrences)

Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Luke 16:20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NIV)

Luke 16:22 It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NIV)

John 9:8 His neighbours, therefore, and the other people to whom he had been a familiar object because he was a beggar, began asking, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?"
(WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Beggar

Related Terms

Beggarly (2 Occurrences)

Begging (18 Occurrences)

Beg (77 Occurrences)

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)

Vagrant (2 Occurrences)

Bartimaeus (1 Occurrence)

Named (428 Occurrences)

Begetting (20 Occurrences)

Sitting (201 Occurrences)