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 the Old Testament. The poor were provided for by the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 12:12; 14:29). It is predicted of the seed of the wicked that they shall be beggars (Psalm 37:25; 109:10).

In the New Testament we find not seldom mention made of beggars (Mark 10:46; Luke 16:20, 21; Acts 3:2), yet there is no mention of such a class as vagrant beggars, so numerous in the East. "Beggarly," in Galatians 4:9, means worthless.

1. (n.) A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the East.

2. (v. t.) To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate for; to beseech.

3. (v. t.) To ask for as a charity, esp. to ask for habitually or from house to house.

4. (v. t.) To make petition to; to entreat; as, to beg a person to grant a favor.

5. (v. t.) To take for granted; to assume without proof.

6. (v. t.) To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask to have a guardian appointed for.

7. (v. i.) To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms.

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

1871. epaiteo -- to beg
... to 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, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1871.htm - 6k

3868. paraiteomai -- to beg from, to beg off
... to beg from, to beg off. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paraiteomai Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ahee-teh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I make excuse, refuse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3868.htm - 7k

4319. prosaiteo -- to ask besides
... to ask besides. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosaiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-ahee-teh'-o) Short Definition: I beg Definition: I beg, ask earnestly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4319.htm - 5k

154. aiteo -- to ask, request
... to ask, request. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(ahee-teh'-o) Short Definition: I ask, request, beg, petition Definition: I ask ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/154.htm - 9k

1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... to want, entreat. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: deomai Phonetic Spelling:
(deh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I request, beg Definition: I want for myself ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189.htm - 7k

3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... par-ak-al-eh'-o) Short Definition: I summon, entreat, admonish, comfort Definition:
(a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k

1189a. deomai -- to want, entreat
... 1189, 1189a. deomai. 1189b . to want, entreat. Transliteration: deomai
Short Definition: beg. Word Origin a form of deo Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189a.htm - 5k

4319a. prosaiteo -- to ask besides
... to ask besides. Transliteration: prosaiteo Short Definition: beg. Word Origin from
pros and aiteo Definition to ask besides NASB Word Usage beg (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4319a.htm - 5k

2065. erotao -- to ask, question
... Origin akin to eromai (to ask) Definition to ask, question NASB Word Usage ask
(15), ask a question (1), asked (14), asking (11), asks (3), beg (1), begging (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2065.htm - 9k

1809. exaiteo -- to ask for oneself (mid.), demand
... Transliteration: exaiteo Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ahee-teh'-om-ahee) Short Definition:
I demand of, ask for Definition: I demand of, ask for, beg earnestly for. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1809.htm - 7k

1245. baqash -- to seek
... root Definition to seek NASB Word Usage aim (1), beg (1), begging (1), concerned
(1), consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2 ...
/hebrew/1245.htm - 6k

7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire
... root Definition to ask, inquire NASB Word Usage ask (45), asked (41), asking (5),
asks (5), beg (1), begged (1), begs (1), borrow (1), borrowed (1), borrows (1 ...
/hebrew/7592.htm - 6k

994a. bi -- I pray, excuse me
... Word Origin from bayay Definition I pray, excuse me NASB Word Usage beg (1), O
(4), Oh (6), please (2), please* (1). 994, 994a. bi. 994b . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/994a.htm - 5k

4994. na -- I (we) pray, now
... particle of entreaty or exhortation Definition I (we) pray, now NASB Word Usage
Ah (2), beg (1), beseech (1), come (3), implore (1), may (1), now (159), O (2 ...
/hebrew/4994.htm - 6k

577. annah -- ah, now! I (we) beseech you!
... now! I (we) beseech you! NASB Word Usage alas (2), beg (1), beseech (7),
earnestly pray (1), O (7), please (1). I beseech thee, O. ...
/hebrew/577.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Beg?
... OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE COMPETENT TO RELIGIOUS (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for religious to beg? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 16.htm

But I Beg You to Listen Patiently as I Follow Him in his Continual ...
... But I beg you to listen patiently as I follow him in his continual recurrence to
these same doctrines"not indeed in all that he says of them, for it is so ...
/.../35 but i beg you.htm

But Suffer it to be So, I Beg You, as You are Lovers of Christ ...
... 8. But suffer it to be so, I beg you, as you are lovers of Christ, that the body
is to be in incorruption and without these conditions when it rises from the ...
/.../8 but suffer it to.htm

To Urban vi
... I beg you, most holy father, that as you have begun so you will continue to meet
with them often, and to bind them prudently with the bands of love. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to urban vi 3.htm

To Benincasa Her Brother when He was in Florence
... please God. So I beg you, in order that you may receive the fruit of your
tribulations, that you assume the armour of patience. And ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to benincasa her brother when.htm

To a Religious Man in Florence who was Shocked at Her Ascetic ...
... I for myself do not know what other remedy to adopt, except that I beg you to pray
that Highest Eternal Truth, that He give me grace, if it is more for His ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to a religious man in.htm

You See How He Represents These Opinions as Things which are Held ...
... again into one body. I beg you not to impute this to me. If I say ... again into
one body. I beg you not to impute this to me. If I say ...
/.../41 you see how he.htm

Joseph's Forgiveness of his Brothers
... Then Judah came close to him and said, "Oh, my lord, let your servant, I beg of
you, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger be aroused against ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/josephs forgiveness of his brothers.htm

To the King of France
... be a lover of virtue, founded in true and holy justice, and despise vice. I beg
you, by love of Christ crucified, to do in your state three especial things. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to the king of france.htm

Now Compare the Words of Origen, which I have Translated Word for ...
... I beg you not to consider my translation wearisome because it is longer; for the
object I had in translating the whole passage was to exhibit the purpose which ...
/.../19 now compare the words.htm

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... to ask for habitually or from house to house. 4. (vt) To make petition to; to entreat;
as, to beg a person to grant a favor. ...BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Acts 27:34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for
your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads." (See RSV NIV). ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Implore (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To call upon, or for, in supplication; to beseech; to prey to, or for,
earnestly; to petition with urgency; to entreat; to beg; -- followed directly by ...
/i/implore.htm - 10k

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

Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... Romans 15:30 Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love
of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me ...
/a/appeal.htm - 20k

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

Survive (20 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 27:34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your
safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads." (See NIV). ...
/s/survive.htm - 12k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus,
that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

Success (29 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 1:11 Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your
servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name ...
/s/success.htm - 17k

Foolishly (20 Occurrences)
... But now, Yahweh, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have
done very foolishly." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/f/foolishly.htm - 12k

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