Bible Dictionary
Beg
Begging refers to asking for support because of poverty or disability. Israel’s law provided for the poor through gleaning and charity, while the New Testament records beggars at roads and temple gates.
Definition
To beg is to ask for support because of poverty, need, or disability. The biblical material distinguishes ordinary provision for the poor from a distinct class of wandering or vagrant beggars. The word “beggarly” in Galatians means worthless.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament provides for the poor through gleaning, charity, and participation in feasts, while also using begging as an image of the fate of the wicked. The New Testament mentions beggars at roads, gates, and other public places.
Historical Background
Israelite law provided support through gleaning and other provisions. The poor could also rely on land, family, or pledged service, while those disabled were generally cared for by relatives.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence (Ex. 23:11; Deut. 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 (Lev. 19:10; Deut. 12:12; 14:29). It is predicted of the seed of the wicked that they shall be beggars (Ps. 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 Gal. 4:9, means worthless.