Topical Encyclopedia
The term "poorer" in the biblical context often refers to individuals or groups who lack material wealth, resources, or social standing. The Bible addresses the condition of the poor extensively, emphasizing God's concern for them and the responsibility of His people to care for those in need.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "poor" is "ani" or "ebyon," which denotes those who are afflicted or in need. The Mosaic Law provided specific instructions for the care of the poor, reflecting God's justice and compassion. For instance,
Leviticus 19:9-10 commands, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."
The prophets frequently spoke against the oppression of the poor and called for justice.
Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." The poor are often depicted as under God's special protection, and their cries reach His ears, as seen in
Psalm 34:6 : "This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is marked by a profound concern for the poor. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (
Matthew 5:3). This statement highlights both a spiritual humility and a recognition of one's need for God, which is often more apparent among those who are materially poor.
Jesus' parables and teachings frequently address the theme of wealth and poverty, urging His followers to be generous and to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (
Matthew 6:19-21). The early church continued this emphasis, as seen in
Acts 2:44-45 : "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."
The Apostle Paul also underscores the importance of caring for the poor, as seen in
Galatians 2:10 , where he recounts the agreement with the other apostles: "They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical narrative presents poverty not merely as an economic condition but as a spiritual and moral issue. The Scriptures consistently call God's people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (
Micah 6:8). The treatment of the poor is a reflection of one's relationship with God, as
Proverbs 14:31 states, "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him."
The Bible's teachings on poverty challenge believers to live out their faith through acts of compassion and justice, recognizing that in serving the poor, they serve Christ Himself (
Matthew 25:40).
Greek
1640. elasson -- smaller, less... Transliteration: elasson or elatton Phonetic Spelling: (el-as'-sone) Short Definition:
less, smaller, inferior Definition: less, smaller;
poorer, inferior.
...Strong's Hebrew
4134. muk -- to be low or depressed, to grow poor... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be low or depressed, to grow poor NASB Word
Usage becomes poor (3), becomes poor (1),
poorer (1). be waxen
poorer.
...Library
The Rich and the Poor
... I may best describe the object for which I plead, as an attempt to civilise and
Christianise the women of the lower classes in thepoorer districts of London...
Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders
... that have even forgotten their poor fellow Christians when they have grown in grace,
and have thought themselves too good to worship with thepoorer sort when...
Celts and Celtophiles
... But thepoorer a man is the more likely it is that he will have to use his
past life whenever he wants to get a bed for the night....
Christian Women, Further, have not the Same Causes for Appearing...
... A grand blasphemy is that by which it is said, "Ever since she became a Christian,
she walks inpoorer garb!" Will you fear to appearpoorer, from the time...
The Holy Spirit in the Glorified Christ.
... His self-emptying was not a single loss or bereavement, but a growingpoorer and
poorer, until at last nothing was left Him but a piece of ground where He...
What He Likewise Wrote of the Place of Our Lord's Ascension, and...
... Adam's is of meaner andpoorer workmanship, and he lies not far from them at the
farthest end of the northern part of that wall. There are also somepoorer and....
As they Flew, So Fast they Went that the Sea Slid Away from under...
... Nor will my readers understand what a heavy loss this was to him until I have informed
them that he had been gettingpoorer andpoorer for some time....
General Introduction
... The several "positive" religions he regarded as necessary for the masses,poorer
versions of the same truth, whose trappings were better removed....
What have I Done?
... No tradesman ever gets thepoorer by looking to his books; he may find himself to
bepoorer than he thought he was, but it is not the looking to the books that...
It Pleased the Lord to Bruise Him
... How muchpoorer we should be today without the story of Gethsemane and Calvary,
without knowing that "it pleased the Lord to bruise him" and that out of his...
Thesaurus
Poorer (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Poorer (3 Occurrences). John 2:10 and said to him,
"Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests
...Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... The two were at the end of this period sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions
the church at Antioch had made for thepoorer brethren there (11:28-30)....
Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... Intoxicants were then an expensive luxury, beyond the reach of thepoorer
classes. See DRINK, STRONG. II. Its Symptoms and Effects....
Poorest (9 Occurrences)
Vowing (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 27:8 And if he ispoorer than thy valuation, then he hath presented himself
before the priest, and the priest hath valued him; according to that...
Valued (27 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 27:8 And if he ispoorer than thy valuation, then he hath presented himself
before the priest, and the priest hath valued him; according to that...
Valuation (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 27:8 But if he ispoorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before
the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to the ability of him...
Vowed (34 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 27:8 But if he ispoorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before
the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to the ability of him...
Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... and with him ten thousand captives, comprising all the better and sturdier element
of the people from prince to craftsman, leaving only thepoorer sort to...
Worse (62 Occurrences)
... 1. (compar.) Bad, ill, evil, or corrupt, in a greater degree; more bad or evil;
less good; specifically, inpoorer health; more sick; -- used both in a...
Resources
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