Strong's Lexicon penés: Poor, needy Original Word: πενής Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb πένομαι (penomai), meaning "to toil" or "to work for one's daily bread." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "penés" is עָנִי (ani, Strong's H6041), which also means poor or afflicted. Another related term is דָּל (dal, Strong's H1800), meaning low, poor, or weak. Usage: The term "penés" refers to someone who is economically disadvantaged, often living in a state of poverty or need. Unlike "ptochos," which denotes absolute destitution, "penés" implies a person who has limited resources and must work hard to meet basic needs. It is used to describe individuals who are not wealthy and may struggle to make ends meet, but who are not entirely without means. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, poverty was a common condition, with a significant portion of the population living as "penés." These individuals often worked as laborers, farmers, or craftsmen, earning just enough to survive. The social structure of the time did not provide much opportunity for upward mobility, and the poor were often marginalized. In Jewish culture, caring for the poor was a significant aspect of religious life, with the Law of Moses including provisions for their support. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom penomai (to work for one's daily bread) Definition one who works for his living NASB Translation poor (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3993: πένηςπένης, πένητος, ὁ (πένομαι to work for one's living; the Latinpenuria and Greek πεινάω are akin to it (cf. Vanicek, p. 1164); hence, πένης equivalent to ἐκ πόνου καί ἐνεργείας τό ζῆν ἔχων, Etym. Magn.), poor: 2 Corinthians 9:9. (From Sophocles and Herodotus down; the Sept. for אֶבְיון, עָנִי, דַּל, רָשׁ, etc.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance poor. From a primary peno (to toil for daily subsistence); starving, i.e. Indigent -- poor. Compare ptochos. see GREEK ptochos Forms and Transliterations πένης πενησιν πένησιν πένητα πένητας πένητες πένητι πένητος πενήτων penesin penēsin pénesin pénēsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |