Poor עָנִי

We are in chapter nineteen of Leviticus with our word for today. עָנִי poor, without property, afflicted, wretched, needy. It is used 80 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used most in the sense of afflicted, one who has been the victim of some pain, injury, or harm, either physically or mentally; often associated with recurring treatment or events. Psalm 10:2, 8-9, 12 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the עָנִ֑י poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised … His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the עָנִ֑י poor; he seizes the עָ֝נִ֗י poor when he draws him into his net … Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the עֲנִיִּים afflicted. The good news is that God cares about this group. Isaiah 14:32 The Lord has founded Zion, and in her the עֲנִיֵּ֥י afflicted of his people find refuge. Our word is also used in the sense of poor that is people without possessions or wealth considered as a group. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be אֶבְי֖וֹן [this is a different word for poor] poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, לַעֲנִיֶּ֛ךָ to the needy וּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ [this is a different word for poor] and to the poor, in your land.’ Exodus 22:25 If you lend money to any of my people with you who is הֶֽעָנִי֙ poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them לֶֽעָנִ֤י for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. Notice how God provides for the poor in this practical way by commanding those who owned land in this way. I’ll close with this great Psalm that uses our word 3 times. This Psalm is David’s last one about his son the next King. As a man after God’s own heart and inspired by the Holy Spirit we see the ideal picture of what a King is to do. This picture reflects God’s heart that is one of love and protection of all people especially those that have no one else to protect them. Psalm 72:2, 4, 12-14 May he judge your people with righteousness, וַעֲנִיֶּ֥יךָ and your poor with justice! … May he defend the cause of the עֲֽנִיֵּי poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! … For he delivers the needy when he calls, the וְ֝עָנִ֗י poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.