Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "poorest" refers to individuals or groups who are economically disadvantaged, lacking material wealth, and often marginalized within society. 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 ContextThe Old Testament law includes numerous provisions for the care of the poor. For instance, the Israelites were commanded to leave the gleanings of their harvest for the poor and the foreigner (
Leviticus 19:9-10). This practice ensured that those without land or resources could still gather food.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 instructs, "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs."
The prophets frequently spoke out against the oppression of the poor, highlighting social justice as a key concern.
Isaiah 10:1-2 warns, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless."
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 underscores the spiritual value and blessedness of those who recognize their need for God, often paralleled with material poverty.
Jesus' parables and teachings frequently highlight the importance of caring for the poor. In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, He identifies Himself with the needy, saying, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (
Matthew 25:40). This teaching emphasizes that service to the poor is service to Christ Himself.
The early church continued this emphasis on caring for the poor.
Acts 4:34-35 describes the communal sharing among believers: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a defender of the poor and an advocate for justice.
Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This reflects the belief that God honors and rewards those who show compassion and generosity to the impoverished.
The Scriptures also warn against the dangers of wealth and the neglect of the poor.
James 2:5-6 reminds believers, "Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?"
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to emulate God's heart for the poor through acts of charity, justice, and advocacy. The biblical mandate to care for the poorest among us is a call to action, urging Christians to reflect God's love and justice in tangible ways. This includes supporting charitable organizations, engaging in community service, and advocating for policies that protect and uplift the marginalized.
In summary, the Bible's teachings on the poorest emphasize God's deep concern for their welfare and the responsibility of His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God (
Micah 6:8).
Strong's Hebrew
1803b. dallah -- the poor... the poor. Transliteration: dallah Short Definition:
poorest. Word Origin from dalal
Definition the poor NASB Word Usage
poorest (5). 1803a, 1803b.
...1803. dallah -- hair, thrum
... 1802b, 1803. dallah. 1803a . hair, thrum. Transliteration: dallah Phonetic
Spelling: (dal-law') Short Definition: hair. hair, pining sickness,poorest sort...
1800b. dal -- low, weak, poor, thin
... dalal Definition low, weak, poor, thin NASB Word Usage depressed (1), helpless
(7), least (1), lowly (2), needy (1), poor (29), poor man (3),poorest (1), weak...
Library
The True Gentleman
... They tell us how every one of us, down to thepoorest and most ignorant man and
woman in this church, may become true gentlemen and ladies, in the sight of God...
The Parable of the Householder. A Sermon, by Bishop Latimer.
... So that thepoorest man and most miserable that is in the world, may call God his
Father, and Christ his Redeemer, as well as the greatest king or emperor in...
God the Joy-Bringer
... Thepoorest creature that lives has a right to ask from God the satisfaction of
its instincts, and every man has a claim on God"because he is God's creature...
The Destroyers and the Restorer
... have found that the tremendous audacity of the words is simple verity, and that
Christ is, in inmost reality, all which the Temple was but in thepoorest symbol...
Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and...
... the humble inn where he had elected to remain for the brief period of his visit
to Rouen,"an inn where no one stayed save the verypoorest of travellers...
I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very...
... counting out of money: nor for such a sentence as "as he who was returning to you
was hurrying back again" which is a redundancy worthy of thepoorest style of...
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... Thepoorest man that loves Christ, or the humblest woman who is willing to accept
him as her teaches, becomes at once one of the nobility that wait upon Christ...
Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... knowledge. This is very important. Every one, even thepoorest and most
ignorant, has knowledge enough to be religious. Education...
The Fourth Part.
... No bangling hawke, but with a high flyer will mend her pitch: thepoorest good
companion, will doe thee some good; when Silas came, Paul burnt in the spirit: a...
'Before Governors and Kings'
... the mighty sentence in which he condenses his whole teaching, in its aspect of
witness-bearing, in its universal destination and identity to thepoorest and to...
Thesaurus
Poorest (9 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Poorest (9 Occurrences).
... Behold, my family is the
poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." (WEB JPS ASV BBE).
...Plowmen (5 Occurrences)
... Plowmen (5 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the
poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. (See NAS RSV)....
Craftsmen (22 Occurrences)
... and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives,
and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save thepoorest sort of...
Nebuzaradan (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of
thepoorest of the people, and the residue of the people who were left in the...
Vines (39 Occurrences)
... servants. (BBE). 2 Kings 25:12 But he let thepoorest of the land go on living
there, to take care of the vines and the fields. (BBE)....
Exile (101 Occurrences)
... and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives,
and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save thepoorest sort of...
Captivity (141 Occurrences)
... were consumed, and the walls of the city were levelled with the ground (BC 586),
and all that remained of the people, except a number of thepoorest class who...
Youngest (26 Occurrences)
... shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is thepoorest in Manasseh, and I
am the least in my father's house." (See NAS). Judges 9:5...
Valor (45 Occurrences)
... and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives,
and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save thepoorest sort of...
Nebuzar-adan (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:15 And Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard carried away captive
of thepoorest sort of the people, and the rest of the people that were left...
Resources
When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian be a radical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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