Bible Dictionary: Poor

Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Poor

The general kindly spirit of the law toward the poor is sufficiently shown by such passages as (15:7) for the reason that (ver. 11) "the poor shall never cease out of the land." Among the special enactments in their favor the following must be mentioned:

The right of gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9,10; 24:19,21)
From the produce of the land in sabbatical years the poor and the stranger were to have their portion. (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6)
Re-entry upon land in the jubilee year, with the limitation as to town homes. (Leviticus 25:25-30)
Prohibition of usury and of retention of pledges. (Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:3,5,37) etc.
Permanent bondage forbidden, and manumission of Hebrew bondmen or bondwomen enjoined in the sabbatical and jubilee years. (Leviticus 25:39-42,47-54; 15:12-15)
Portions from the tithes to be shared by the poor after the Levites. (14:28; 26:12,13)
The poor to partake in entertainments at the feasts of Weeks and Tabernacles. (16:11,14) see Nehe 8:10
Daily payment of wages. (Leviticus 19:13) Principles similar to those laid down by Moses are inculcated in the New Testament, as (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Poor

Psalm 12:5 41:1-3, especially cared for in the Jewish dispensation, Exodus 23:6 Proverbs 14:31, and even more so under the gospel, Matthew 25:42-45 James 2:5. The slight offerings required of them by the law were as acceptable as the hecatombs of the rich, Le 5:7-13 Mark 12:41-44. The gleanings of the fields, the olive trees, and the vines, were to be left for them, Le 19:9 De 24:19 Ruth 2:2. Every seventh year, the spontaneous products of the ground were free to all, Le 25:7; and in the Jubilee their alienated inheritance returned to their possession. Compare also Le 25:1-55 De 24:1-22. Neglect and oppression of the poor were severely reproved by the prophets, Isaiah 10:2 Jeremiah 5:28 Am 2:6; but charity to the poor was an eminent virtue among primitive Christians, Matthew 6:2-4 Luke 10:33-35 19:8 Acts 9:36-39 10:2:11:29-30.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important.

(1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 24:19, 21).

(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6).

(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Leviticus 25:25-30).

(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Exodus 22:25-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

(5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Leviticus 25:39-42, 47-54).

(6.) Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13).

(7.) They shared in the feasts (Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Nehemiah 8:10).

(8.) Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Leviticus 19:13).

In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15, 16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor. Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the New Testament times (Luke 16:20, 21, etc.). But begging in the case of those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to "work with their own hands" as a Christian duty (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Ephesians 4:28). This word is used figuratively in Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (superl.) Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; indigent.

2. (superl.) So completely destitute of property as to be entitled to maintenance from the public.

3. (superl.) Destitute of such qualities as are desirable, or might naturally be expected

4. (superl.) Wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean; emaciated; meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc.

5. (superl.) Wanting in strength or vigor; feeble; dejected; as, poor health; poor spirits.

6. (superl.) of little value or worth; not good; inferior; shabby; mean; as, poor clothes; poor lodgings.

7. (superl.) Destitute of fertility; exhausted; barren; sterile; -- said of land; as, poor soil.

8. (superl.) Destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor discourse; a poor picture.

9. (superl.) Without prosperous conditions or good results; unfavorable; unfortunate; unconformable; as, a poor business; the sick man had a poor night.

10. (superl.) Inadequate; insufficient; insignificant; as, a poor excuse.

11. (superl.) Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and sometimes as a word of contempt.

12. (superl.) Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.

13. (n.) A small European codfish (Gadus minutus); -- called also power cod.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

POOR

poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos):

I. In the Old Testament.

The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless them (Deuteronomy 15:4 the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin); but this was only to be realized on certain conditions of obedience (Deuteronomy 15:5), and in Deuteronomy 15:11 it is said,"The poor will never cease out of the land"; but they were to see to it that none was left in destitution. The very foundation of the Hebrew religion was God's pity on a poor and oppressed people.

1. The Terms Employed:

The words for "poor" are chiefly 'ebhyon, "desirous," "needy," "poor" (Exodus 23:6, etc.); dal, "moving," "swaying," hence, weak, poor, lowly (Exodus 23:3, etc.); dallah, "poverty," "weakness" (2 Kings 25:12, etc.); rush, perhaps "to shake," "tremble," "to be poor," "impoverished" (1 Samuel 18:23, etc.); `ani, also `anaw, "poor," "oppressed," from `anah, "to bend" or "bow down (Exodus 22:25, etc.); `aneh, Aramaic (Daniel 4:27), chelekhah, "wretchedness" (AV Psalm 10:8, 14); yarash, "to make poor" (1 Samuel 2:7); machsor, "want" (Proverbs 21:17); micken, "a needy one" (Ecclesiastes 4:13; Ecclesiastes 9:15 bis, 16).

2. Representations:

(1) Generally.-God (Yahweh and 'Elohim) is represented as having a special care for "the poor," which was illustrated in the deliverance of the nation from Egyptian poverty and bondage and was never to be forgotten by them (Deuteronomy 24:22); as punishing the oppressors of the poor and rewarding those who were kind to them; God Himself was the Protector and Saviour of the poor (Exodus 22:23): "If thou afflict them at all, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath shall wax hot," etc. (Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 24:15 1 Samuel 2:8 Job 31:16 Psalm 9:18; Psalm 12:5 Proverbs 19:17 Isaiah 25:4 Ecclesiastes 5:8, "one higher than the high regardeth," etc.).

(2) Liberality to the poor is specially enjoined (Deuteronomy 15:7 f), and they were to beware of self-deception and grudging in this (Deuteronomy 15:9, 10).

(3) Special provisions were made on behalf of the poor:

(a) Every third year a tithe was to be given "unto the Levite, to the sojourner, to the fatherless and to the widow" that Yahweh might bless them (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; Deuteronomy 26:12 f);

(b) the poor were to have the free use of all that grew spontaneously in field or vineyard during the Sabbatic year (Exodus 23:10 Leviticus 25:5, 6);

(c) each year the gleanings of the fields and vineyards should belong to the poor, the corners of fields were to be left for them, and if a sheaf was forgotten it should remain (Leviticus 19:9, 10; Leviticus 23:22 Deuteronomy 24:19);

(d) fruit and ripe grain in a field might be eaten by any hungry person, but none should be carried away (Deuteronomy 23:24, 25);

(e) in the Feast of Weeks the poor were to participate (Deuteronomy 16:9-12);

(f) every seventh year there should be a "release" of debts (Deuteronomy 15:1 f); in the seventh year of servitude the Hebrew bond-servant should go free (Exodus 21:2), or in the Jubilee, if that came first, on which occasion-the fiftieth year-property that had been sold returned to its owner or his family (Leviticus 25:8-17);

(g) they were to lend readily to the poor, and no interest or increase was to be taken from their brethren (Exodus 22:25 Leviticus 25:35-37 Deuteronomy 15:7 f); in Leviticus 25:39, no poor Hebrew was to be made a bond-servant, and, if a hired servant, he was not to be ruled with rigor (25:43); his hire was to be given him daily (Leviticus 19:13 Deuteronomy 24:15); no widow's raiment was to be taken in pledge (Deuteronomy 24:17), nor the handmill, nor the upper millstone so essential for daily life (Deuteronomy 24:6), a man's garment should be returned to him before sundown, and no house should be entered to seize or fetch any pledge (Deuteronomy 24:10-13); breach of these laws should be sin and their observance righteousness (Deuteronomy 24:13, 15, etc.; see ALMS, ALMSGIVING);

(h) justice was to be done to the poor (Exodus 23:6 Deuteronomy 27:19, "Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow"); (i) offerings were graduated according to means (Leviticus 5:7; Leviticus 12:8).

(4) Definite penalties were not always attached to those laws, and the prophets and psalmists have many complaints of the unjust treatment and oppression of the poor, contrary to the will of God, and frequent exhortations to justice and a due regard for them (Psalm 10:2, 9; Psalm 12:5; Psalm 14:6 Isaiah 3:14, 15 Jeremiah 2:34 Ezekiel 16:49, "the iniquity of.... Sodom"; Ezekiel 18:12, 17; Ezekiel 22:29 Amos 2:7; Amos 4:1 Habakkuk 3:14; compare Job 20:19; Job 24:9, 14, etc.; Proverbs 14:31).

(5) The duty of caring for the poor is frequently and strongly set forth and divine promises attached to its fulfillment (Psalm 41:1; Psalm 72:12;; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 22:9; Proverbs 28:3, 17 Isaiah 58:7 Jeremiah 22:16 Ezekiel 18:17 Daniel 4:27 Zechariah 7:10, etc.; compare Job 29:12, 16; Job 30:25; Job 31:19 Psalm 112:9).

(6) The day of the divine manifestation, the times of the Messiah, should bring deliverance and rejoicing to the poor (Psalm 72:12-15 Isaiah 11:4, "With righteousness shall he judge the poor," etc.; Isaiah 14:30; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 61:1 the Revised Version margin).

(7) The equality of rich and poor before God and the superiority of the righteous poor to the ungodly rich, etc., are maintained (Proverbs 19:1, 22; Proverbs 22:1, 2 Ecclesiastes 4:13).

(8) Ways in which men can willfully make themselves poor are mentioned (Proverbs 6:11; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 13:4, 18; 14:23; 20:13; 21:5, 17; 23:21; 28:19).

3. The Godly Poor:

The chief words given above all mean poor, literally, but `ani (rendered also "afflicted") may also denote Israel as a nation in its afflictions and low estate, e.g. Psalm 68:10 Isaiah 41:17; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 51:21; Isaiah 54:11; in Zechariah 3:12, it is "the ideal Israel of the future." Dr. Driver remarks (art. "Poor," HDB) that such passages show that `ani (as also its frequent parallel 'ebhyon, and, though somewhat less distinctly, dal) came gradually "to denote the godly poor, the suffering righteous, the persons who, whether `bowed down' or `needy' or `reduced,' were the godly servants of Yahweh." The humble poor became in fact distinguished as the line in which faithfulness to Yahweh was maintained and spiritual religion developed. The less frequent word `anaw, often translated "meek," "humble," is regarded (see Driver in the place cited.) as having from the first a moral and religious significance. It is used of Moses (Numbers 12:3) and occurs in Psalm 10:12, 17; Psalm 22:26; Psalm 25:9, etc.; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 16:19 Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 32:7; Isaiah 61:1 Amos 2:7; Zechariah 2:3.

II. In the New Testament.

In the New Testament ptochos, "trembling," "poor," "beggar," is almost exclusively the word translated "poor." It does not occur very frequently, but we see the same regard for the poor maintained as we have in the Old Testament; besides, the new principle of love and the example of Him who "though he was rich, yet for your sakes.... became poor" (ptocheuo, 2 Corinthians 8:9) necessarily carry in them this regard even more fully than in the Old Testament. Jesus announced His mission (Luke 4:18) by quoting Isaiah 61:1, "to preach good tidings (the King James Version "the gospel") to the poor" (or meek or humble); He gave as a proof of His Messiahship the fact that "the poor have the gospel (or good news of the Kingdom) preached to them" (Matthew 11:5 Luke 7:22); according to Luke 6:20, He pronounced a beatitude on the pious "poor" because the kingdom of God was theirs; in Matthew 5:3 it is "the poor in spirit" (the humble); we have the injunction to "give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21 Mark 10:21 Luke 18:22) who are "always with you" (Matthew 26:11 Mark 14:7 John 12:8), which does not mean that there must always be "the poor," but that, in contrast with Himself who was soon to leave them, the poor should remain and kindness could be shown to them at any time, which was His own practice (John 13:29); we are enjoined to call not the rich or well-to-do to our entertainments, but the poor (Luke 14:13; compare Luke 14:21); Zaccheus cited in his favor the fact that he gave `half of his goods to the poor' (Luke 19:8); special notice was taken by Jesus of the poor widow's contribution (Luke 21:3). The first church showed its regard for the poor in the distribution of goods "according as any man had need" (Acts 2:45; Acts 4:32; Acts 6:1); when the council at Jerusalem freed the Gentiles from the yoke of Judaism, they made it a condition, Paul says, "that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do" (Galatians 2:10); contributions were accordingly made "for the poor among the saints that are at Jerus" (Romans 15:26), and it was in conveying such contributions that Paul got into the circumstances that led to his arrest. God's ability and will to provide for those who give to the poor is quoted from Psalm 112:9 (2 Corinthians 9:9); James specially rebukes certain Christians of his day for their partiality for the rich and their dishonor of the poor (James 2:5-9), and John asks how, in the man who "hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him," the love of God can dwell (1 John 3:17, 18).

Ptochos is translated "beggar" (Luke 16:20, 22) and "beggarly" (Galatians 4:9); penes, "one who works for his daily bread," "a poor man," is the word in 2 Corinthians 9:9; the poor widow of Mark 12:42 is described in Luke 21:2 as penichros, "very poor."

III. In the Apocrypha.

In the Apocrypha the poor are often mentioned; God's regard for them (Ecclesiasticus 21:5 (ptochos); 35:12, 13); their oppression and wrongs (The Wisdom of Solomon 2:10 (penes); Ecclesiasticus 13:3, 19, 23 (ptochos); Baruch 6:28); the duty of care for and of giving to the poor (Tobit 4:7 (ptochos); Ecclesiasticus 29:8 (tapeinos); 29:9 (penes); 34:20-22); of justice and kindness to such (Ecclesiasticus 4:1, 5, 8; 7:32; 10:23 (ptochos)); "poor" in the sense of pitiable occurs in 2 Maccabees 4:47 (talaiporos), the Revised Version (British and American) "hapless."

IV. The Revised Version (British and American) Changes.

For "the poor of this world" (James 2:5) the Revised Version (British and American) has "them that are poor as to the world"; for "The poor.... shall trust in it" (Isaiah 14:32), "In her shall the afflicted.... take refuge"; instead of "Whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor" (Ecclesiastes 4:14), "Yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor"; "poor" for "humble" (Psalm 9:12; Psalm 10:12, margin "meek"), for "lowly" (Proverbs 16:19, margin "meek").

W. L. Walker

Greek

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... 4433, 4434. ptochos. 4435 . (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly,
poor. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ptochos Phonetic Spelling: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

3998. penichros -- needy, poor
... needy, poor. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: penichros Phonetic Spelling:
(pen-tikh-ros') Short Definition: poor, needy Definition: poor, needy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3998.htm - 6k

3993. penes -- one who works for his living
... one who works for his living. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: penes
Phonetic Spelling: (pen'-ace) Short Definition: poor Definition: one who ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3993.htm - 6k

4433. ptocheuo -- to be a beggar, be destitute
... a beggar. Cognate: 4433 -- to become utterly poor (destitute); hence, to
become extremely (""). 4433 ... became (1). become poor. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4433.htm - 7k

2895. krabattos -- a camp bed
... Masculine Transliteration: krabattos Phonetic Spelling: (krab'-bat-os) Short Definition:
a bed, mattress, mat Definition: a bed, mattress, mat of a poor man. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2895.htm - 7k

1133. gunaikarion -- a little woman, (contemptuously) a silly ...
... a silly woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: gunaikarion Phonetic
Spelling: (goo-nahee-kar'-ee-on) Short Definition: a woman, a poor weak woman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1133.htm - 6k

4442. pur -- fire
... fire. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: pur Phonetic Spelling: (poor)
Short Definition: fire, trials Definition: fire; the heat of the sun, lightning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4442.htm - 7k

1654. eleemosune -- mercy, pity, spec. alms
... alms. From eleos; compassionateness, ie (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence,
or (concretely) a benefaction -- alms(-deeds). see GREEK eleos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1654.htm - 6k

329. anazopureo -- to kindle afresh
... to kindle afresh. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anazopureo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ad-zo-poor-eh'-o) Short Definition: I stir up the fire, fan the flame ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/329.htm - 6k

4444. purgos -- a tower
... a tower. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: purgos Phonetic Spelling:
(poor'-gos) Short Definition: a tower, fortified structure Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4444.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7326. rush -- to be in want or poor
... 7325, 7326. rush. 7327 . to be in want or poor. Transliteration: rush Phonetic
Spelling: (roosh) Short Definition: poor. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7326.htm - 6k

6041. ani -- poor, afflicted, humble
... 6040b, 6041. ani. 6042 . poor, afflicted, humble. Transliteration: ani
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nee') Short Definition: afflicted. ...
/hebrew/6041.htm - 6k

4542. misken -- poor
... 4541b, 4542. misken. 4543 . poor. Transliteration: misken Phonetic Spelling:
(mis-kane') Short Definition: poor. Word Origin of ...
/hebrew/4542.htm - 5k

4134. muk -- to be low or depressed, to grow poor
... 4133, 4134. muk. 4135 . to be low or depressed, to grow poor. Transliteration:
muk Phonetic Spelling: (mook) Short Definition: poor. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4134.htm - 6k

34. ebyon -- in want, needy, poor
... 33, 34. ebyon. 35 . in want, needy, poor. Transliteration: ebyon Phonetic
Spelling: (eb-yone') Short Definition: needy. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/34.htm - 6k

1800b. dal -- low, weak, poor, thin
... 1800a, 1800b. dal. 1801 . low, weak, poor, thin. Transliteration: dal
Short Definition: poor. Word Origin from dalal Definition ...
/hebrew/1800b.htm - 5k

6035. anav -- poor, afflicted, humble, meek
... 6034, 6035. anav. 6036 . poor, afflicted, humble, meek. Transliteration: anav
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nawv') Short Definition: humble. ... humble, lowly, meek, poor ...
/hebrew/6035.htm - 6k

6040b. anay -- poor, needy
... poor, needy. Transliteration: anay Short Definition: poor. Word Origin (Aramaic)
corresponding to ani Definition poor, needy NASB Word Usage poor (1). ...
/hebrew/6040b.htm - 5k

6033. anah -- poor
... anah. 6034 . poor. Transliteration: anah Phonetic Spelling: (an-aw') Short Definition:
poor. Word Origin see anay. poor (Aramaic) corresponding to anah -- poor ...
/hebrew/6033.htm - 5k

1803b. dallah -- the poor
... dallah. 1804 . the poor. Transliteration: dallah Short Definition: poorest. Word
Origin from dalal Definition the poor NASB Word Usage poorest (5). ...
/hebrew/1803b.htm - 5k

Library

The Tillage of the Poor
... THE PROVERBS THE TILLAGE OF THE POOR. 'Much food is in the tillage of the
poor.'"Proverbs 13:23. Palestine ... no. I am but a poor man. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the tillage of the poor.htm

Preaching for the Poor
... Preaching for the Poor. A Sermon (No.114). ... REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal
Surrey Gardens. "The poor have the gospel preached to them.""Matt.11:5. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/preaching for the poor.htm

The Poor in Spirit
... XXII THE POOR IN SPIRIT. Matthew v.3. Whom ... First of all, he says, they are
the "poor in spirit." And who are the poor in spirit? It ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxii the poor in spirit.htm

For the Poor.
... IV. COMFORT. Hymn 57 For the poor. William Cowper 8,6,8,6. For the poor. When
Hagar found the bottle spent, Gen 21:19. And wept o'er Ishmael; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 57 for the poor.htm

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
... 4. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Having spoken of the general ... turned into gold.
But Christ says, Blessed are the poor in spirit'. The world ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/4 blessed are the poor.htm

The Duty of Remembering the Poor
... The Duty of Remembering the Poor. A Sermon No.99. ... "Only they would that we should
remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.""Galatians 2:10. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the duty of remembering the.htm

To the Poor in Health.
... LXXII."To the Poor in Health. ... Receive into thy ears the teaching of the great
Solomon: God hates the poor man to be a pleader on high. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxxii to the poor in health.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... 5. The poor in spirit are enriched with a kingdom. ... It is a favour that we poor
worms and no men' (Psalm 22:6) should be suffered to live. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... constitutions of the holy apostles. Book IV. Sec. I."On Helping the Poor. ...
And whence shall the poor among the people be maintained? ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
... THE Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF
ROME, Chapter II. How the poor and the rich should be admonished. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ii how the poor.htm

Thesaurus

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially
important. ... The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

Poor-looking (2 Occurrences)
Poor-looking. Poorest, Poor-looking. Poorly . Multi-Version
Concordance Poor-looking (2 Occurrences). Genesis 41:3 And ...
/p/poor-looking.htm - 6k

Poverty (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being poor or indigent;
want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need. ...
/p/poverty.htm - 21k

Meekness (14 Occurrences)
... The word is sometimes translated "poor" (Job 24:4, the Revised Version margin "meek";
Amos 8:4); "humble" (Psalm 9:12, 18, the Revised Version margin "meek ...
/m/meekness.htm - 16k

Countrymen (60 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions,
then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his ...
/c/countrymen.htm - 26k

Creditor (8 Occurrences)
... British and American): In the ideal social system of the Old Testament, debts are
incurred only because of poverty, and the law protected the poor debtor from ...
/c/creditor.htm - 11k

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)
... Whatever grew of itself during that year was not for the owner of the land,
but for the poor and the stranger and the beasts of the field. ...
/s/sabbatical.htm - 16k

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence (Exodus 23:11;
Deuteronomy 15:11), but there is no mention of beggars properly so called in ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Destitute (25 Occurrences)
... of. 2. (a.) Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of want;
needy; without possessions or resources; very poor. 3 ...
/d/destitute.htm - 13k

Delivers (38 Occurrences)
... Psalms 35:10 All my bones shall say, "Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the
poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him ...
/d/delivers.htm - 16k

Bible Concordance

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 6:2 When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it, as the false-hearted men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. Truly, I say to you, They have their reward.
(BBE NAS)

Matthew 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,
(See NAS)

Matthew 11:5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:11 For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 10:21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 12:42 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 12:43 He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 1:48 For he has had pity on his servant, though she is poor and lowly placed: and from this hour will all generations give witness to the blessing which has come to me.
(BBE)

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 7:22 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 11:41 But if you give to the poor such things as you are able, then all things are clean to you.
(BBE NIV)

Luke 12:33 Give what property you have in exchange for money, and give the money to the poor; make for yourselves money-bags which will not get old, wealth stored up in heaven which will be yours for ever, where thieves will not come nor worms put it to destruction.
(BBE NIV)

Luke 14:13 But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 14:21 "That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant,'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 16:20 And a certain poor man, named Lazarus, was stretched out at his door, full of wounds,
(BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 16:22 And in time the poor man came to his end, and angels took him to Abraham's breast. And the man of wealth came to his end, and was put in the earth.
(BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 19:8 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 21:2 He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 21:3 He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 2:10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!"
(See NAS RSV)

John 12:5 "Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 12:6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 12:8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don't always have me."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
(See NIV)

Acts 10:2 A serious-minded man, fearing God with all his family; he gave much money to the poor, and made prayer to God at all times.
(BBE)

Acts 10:4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
(See NIV)

Acts 10:31 and said,'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
(See NIV)

Acts 24:17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
(See NIV)

Acts 26:22 Having, however, obtained the help which is from God, I have stood firm until now, and have solemnly exhorted rich and poor alike, saying nothing except what the Prophets and Moses predicted as soon to happen,
(WEY)

Romans 15:26 For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 11:22 What? have you not houses to take your meals in? or have you no respect for the church of God, putting the poor to shame? What am I to say to you? am I to give you praise? certainly not.
(BBE)

1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if this poor tent, our earthly house, is taken down, we have in Heaven a building which God has provided, a house not built by human hands, but eternal.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 7:6 But God who gives comfort to the poor in spirit gave us comfort by the coming of Titus;
(BBE)

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you:
(BBE)

Galatians 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor-which very thing I was also zealous to do.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Galatians 4:9 But now that you have come to have knowledge of God, or more truly, God has knowledge of you, how is it that you go back again to the poor and feeble first things, desiring to be servants to them again?
(BBE YLT)

Galatians 4:14 And you did not have a poor opinion of me because of the trouble in my flesh, or put shame on it; but you took me to your hearts as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
(BBE)

Philippians 3:21 By whom this poor body of ours will be changed into the image of the body of his glory, in the measure of the working by which he is able to put all things under himself.
(BBE)

Hebrews 2:6 But, as we know, a writer has solemnly said, "How poor a creature is man, and yet Thou dost remember him, and a son of man, and yet Thou dost come to him!
(WEY)

Hebrews 10:1 For the law, being only a poor copy of the future good things, and not the true image of those things, is never able to make the people who come to the altar every year with the same offerings completely clean.
(BBE)

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were cut up with knives, they were tested, they were put to death with the sword, they went about in sheepskins and in goatskins; being poor and in pain and cruelly attacked,
(BBE)

James 2:2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 2:3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Don't the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 2:9 I have knowledge of your troubles and how poor you are (but you have true wealth), and the evil words of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a Synagogue of Satan.
(BBE)

Revelation 3:17 Because you say,'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 13:16 He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:19 and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ugliness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Genesis 42:9 Then the memory of his dreams about them came back to Joseph, and he said to them, You have come secretly to see how poor the land is.
(BBE)

Genesis 42:12 And he said to them, No, but you have come to see how poor the land is.
(BBE)

Genesis 45:11 and I have nourished thee there -- for yet 'are' five years of famine -- lest thou become poor, thou and thy household, and all that thou hast.
(YLT)

Exodus 22:25 "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor; neither shall you charge him interest.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Exodus 23:3 neither shall you favor a poor man in his cause.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:6 "You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat. In like manner you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 14:21 "If he is poor, and can't afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal offering, and a log of oil;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 19:10 You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Leviticus 19:15 "'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 23:22 "'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap into the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:25 "'If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:35 "'If your brother has become poor, and his hand can't support him among you; then you shall uphold him. As a stranger and a sojourner he shall live with you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:39 "'If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you; you shall not make him to serve as a slave.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 25:47 "'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger's family;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 27:8 But if he is poorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to the ability of him who vowed shall the priest value him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 13:20 And if the land is fertile or poor, and if there is wood in it or not. And be of good heart, and come back with some of the produce of the land. Now it was the time when the first grapes were ready.
(BBE RSV NIV)

Numbers 21:5 And crying out against God and against Moses, they said, Why have you taken us out of Egypt to come to our death in the waste land? For there is no bread and no water, and this poor bread is disgusting to us.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 15:4 However there shall be no poor with you; (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it;)
(WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:7 If a poor man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother;
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:9 Beware that there not be a base thought in your heart, saying, "The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand;" and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 15:11 For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:12 If he be a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your foreigners who are in your land within your gates:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 24:15 in his day you shall give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor, and sets his heart on it: lest he cry against you to Yahweh, and it be sin to you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:29 You will go feeling your way when the sun is high, like a blind man for whom all is dark, and nothing will go well for you: you will be crushed and made poor for ever, and you will have no saviour.
(BBE)

Judges 6:15 He said to him, "Oh, Lord, how shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS)

Ruth 3:10 He said, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 2:7 Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 2:8 He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's. He has set the world on them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 17:42 And when the Philistine, taking note, saw David, he had a poor opinion of him: for he was only a boy, red-haired and good-looking.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 18:23 Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. David said, "Does it seems to you a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 12:1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 12:3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 12:4 A traveler came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 22:28 And the poor people Thou dost save, And Thine eyes on the high causest to fall.
(YLT)

2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 22:14 Now see, poor though I am, I have got ready for the house of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold and a million talents of silver; and a weight of brass and iron greater than may be measured; and wood and stone have I made ready, and you may put more to it.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Poor

Poor: Atonement Money of, Uniform With That of the Rich People

Poor: Duty To

Poor: God's Care of

Poor: Inexpensive offerings of People Who Have Very Little Money

Poor: Kindness To by Boaz

Poor: Kindness To by Job

Poor: Kindness to Congregations

Poor: Kindness to Congregations of Macedonia and Achaia

Poor: Kindness to Cornelius

Poor: Kindness to Dorcas