John 9:1
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Topicalbible.org

(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Beg.BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING

1. No Law Concerning Beggars or Begging in Israel:

It is significant that the Mosaic law contains no enactment concerning beggars, or begging, though it makes ample provision for the relief and care of "the poor in the land." Biblical Hebrew seems to have no term for professional begging, the nearest approach to it being the expressions "to ask (or seek) bread" and "to wander." This omission certainly is not accidental; it comports with the very nature of the Mosaic law, the spirit of which is breathed in this, among other kindred provisions, that a poor Hebrew who even sold himself for debt to his wealthy brother was allowed to serve him only until the Jubilee (See JUBILEE), and his master was forbidden to treat him as a sl ave (Leviticus 25:39). These laws, as far as actually practiced, have always virtually done away with beggars and begging among the Jews.

2. Begging Not Unknown to the Ancient Jews:

Begging, however, came to be known to the Jews in the course of time with the development of the larger cities, either as occurring among themselves, or among neighboring or intermingling peoples, as may be inferred from Psalm 59:15; compare Psalm 109:10, where Yahweh is besought that the children of the wicked may be cursed with beggary, in contra-distinction to the children of the righteous, who have never had to ask bread (Psalm 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed asking (English Versions, "begging") bread.") For the Hebrew expression not corresponding to "begging" see Psalm 59:15, "They shall wander up and down for food"; and compare Psalm 119:10, "Let me wander," etc.

3. Begging and Alms-taking Denounced in Jewish Literature:

The first clear denunciation of beggary and almstaking in Jewish literature is found in Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 40:28-30, where the Hebrew for "begging" is to "wander," ete, as in Psalm 59:15, according to the edition of Cowley and Neubauer; Oxford, 1897. There as well as in Tobit, and in the New Testament, where beggars are specifically mentioned, the word eleemosune has assumed the special sense of alms given to the begging poor (compare Tobit 4:7, 16, 17; 12:8-11; Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3:14, 30; 7:10; 16:14; Matthew 6:2-4; Matthew 20:30-34 Mark 10:46-52 Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33 John 9:1-41 Acts 9:36; Acts 10:2, 4, 31; 24:17).

4. Professional Beggars a Despised Class: As to professional beggars, originally, certainly, and for a long time, they were a despised class among the Hebrews; and the Jewish communities are forbidden to support them from the general charity fund (BB, 9a; Yoreh De`ah, 250, 3). But the spirit of the law is evinced again in that it is likewise forbidden to drive a beggar away without an alms (ha-Yadh ha-Chazaqah, in the place cited 7 7).

5. In the Gospel Age:

Begging was well known and beggars formed a considerable class in the gospel age. Proof of this is found in the references to almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7 and parallels), and in the accounts of beggars in connection with public places, e.g. the entrance to Jericho. (Matthew 20:30 and parallels), which was a gateway to pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to the great festivals and in the neighborhood of rich men's houses (Luke 16:20), and especially the gates of the Temple at Jerusalem (Acts 3:2). This prevalence of begging was due largely to the want of any adequate system of ministering relief, to the lack of any true medical science and the resulting ignorance of remedies for common diseases like ophthalmia, for instance, and to the impoverishment of the land under the excessive taxation of the Roman government (Hausrath, History of New Testament Times, I, 188 (Eng. translation Williams and Norgate), compare Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus, II, 178). That begging was looked down upon is incidentally evidenced by the remark of the unjust steward, "To beg I am ashamed" (Luke 16:3); and that, when associated with indolence, it was strongly condemned by public opinion appears from Sirach (40:28-30).

The words used for "beg," "beggar" of English Versions of the Bible in the New Testament differ radically in idea: in those formed from aiteo (Mark 10:46 Luke 16:3; Luke 18:35 John 9:8 the Revised Version (British and American)) the root idea is that of "asking," while ptochos (Luke 16:20, 22) suggests the cringing or crouching of a beggar. But see Matthew 5:3 where the word for "humble" is ptochos.

6. A Change in Modern Times:

A marked change has come over Jewish life in modern times, in this as well as in other respect. Since the 17th century the Jewish poor in many parts of the world have made it a practice, especially on Fridays and on the eves of certain festivals, to go systematically from house to house asking alms. In parts of Europe today it is a full-grown abuse: crowds of Jewish beggars push their way and ply their trade about the synagogue doors (Abrahams, EB, article "Alms," 310). So the Jewish beggar, in spite of the spirit of the law and ancient Jewish custom, has, under modern conditions too well known to require explanation here, become a troublesome figure and problem in modern Jewish society. For such beggars and begging, see Jew Encyclopedia, articles "Schnorrers," "Alms," etc., and for another kind of begging among modern Jews, and collections for poverty-stricken Jewish settlers in Palestine, see the articles "Chalukah," "Charity," etc.

LITERATURE.

Saalschiutz, Arch. der Hebraer, II, chapter xviii (Konigsberg, 1855-56); Riehm Handworterbuch zu den Buchern des A T, under the word "Almosen "; compare Jew Encyclopedia, HDB, and Encyclopedia B, arts, "Alms"; and Abrahams, Jewish Life in the Middle Ages, chapters xvii, xviii (Philadelphia, 1896); Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs; Day, The Social Life of the Hebrews.

George B. Eager

3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... para and kaleo Definition to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage NASB Word Usage
appeal (4), appealed (1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging (2), beseeching ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k

1189a. deomai -- to want, entreat
... Word Origin a form of deo Definition to want, entreat NASB Word Usage ask (1), beg
(6), begged (1), begging (2), beseech (2), implored (1), making request (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189a.htm - 5k

2065. erotao -- to ask, question
... to eromai (to ask) Definition to ask, question NASB Word Usage ask (15), ask a question
(1), asked (14), asking (11), asks (3), beg (1), begging (1), implored ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2065.htm - 9k

1871. epaiteo -- to beg
... 1871 (from , "upon" intensifying , "ask") -- properly, asking, ie . Word Origin
from epi and aiteo Definition to beg NASB Word Usage beg (1), begging (1). beg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1871.htm - 6k

1245. baqash -- to seek
... root Definition to seek NASB Word Usage aim (1), beg (1), begging (1), concerned
(1), consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2 ...
/hebrew/1245.htm - 6k

Letter vii. To an Unknown Person, Begging the Favor of a Letter. . ...
... Severus. Letter VII. To an Unknown Person, Begging the Favor of a Letter.?
To an Unknown Person, Begging the Favor of a Letter. The ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter vii to an unknown.htm

How in the Reign of Theodosius the Younger, in Whose Time ...
... How in the reign of Theodosius the younger, in whose time Palladius was sent to
the Scots that believed in Christ, the Britons begging assistance of Aetius ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiii how in the.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Beg?
... Now begging is forbidden in the divine law; for it is written (Dt.15:4): "There
shall be no poor nor beggar among you," and (Ps.36:25): "I have not seen the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 16.htm

On the Third Part of the Psalm.
... On the Third Part of the Psalm. 1. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have
I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (ver.25). ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/on the third part of.htm

His Studies in Paris, and Other Incidents of his Life
... In consequence, he was forced to seek his livelihood by begging, and to leave the
house where he lived. Afterward he was received into the Hospital of St. ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter vii his studies in.htm

Verily, Verily, I Say unto You, Whosoever Keepeth My Word Shall ...
... [2478] [2479] And he went and washed, and came seeing. And his neighbours, which
saw him of old begging, said, Is not this he that was sitting begging? ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxvi verily verily i.htm

A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... If begging doth not do, sin promise will Rewards to those that shall its lusts fulfill:
Penny in hand, yea pounds 'twill offer thee, If at its beck and motion ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a caution to stir up.htm

How St Francis and Brother Masseo Placed the Bread they had Begged ...
... France. On arriving in a certain town, being very hungry, they went, according
to the Rule, begging their bread for the love of God. ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xiii how st francis.htm

Concerning the Martyrdom of James, the Brother of the Lord, from ...
... He alone, I say, was wont to go into the temple: and he used to be found kneeling
on his knees, begging forgiveness for the people"so that the skin of his ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/concerning the martyrdom of james.htm

To the Bishop Iren??us.
... I have therefore no hesitation in commending him to your Holiness, and begging
you to make him known to the well-to-do men of the city. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xxxv to the bishop irenaeus.htm

Begging (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Beg. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No Law Concerning Beggars ...
/b/begging.htm - 18k

Beggar (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause to seem very poor and inadequate. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No Law Concerning Beggars ...
/b/beggar.htm - 15k

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEG; BEGGAR; BEGGING. 1. No Law Concerning
Beggars or Begging in Israel: It is significant that ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
...Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the
New Testament times (Luke 16:20, 21, etc.). But begging in ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

Beside (326 Occurrences)
... he is going forth from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, a son
of Timaeus -- Bartimaeus the blind -- was sitting beside the way begging, (YLT). ...
/b/beside.htm - 36k

Begged (71 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS). Mark 1:40 A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to
him, and saying to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean." (See NIV). ...
/b/begged.htm - 26k

Sat (222 Occurrences)
... to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number
of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging...
/s/sat.htm - 36k

Sitting (201 Occurrences)
... thousand? (DBY). Luke 18:35 As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind
man sitting by the way-side begging. (WEY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sitting.htm - 40k

Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:27 Then, as he had made up his mind to cross over into Greece, the brethren
wrote to the disciples in Corinth begging them to give him a kindly welcome ...
/v/valuable.htm - 11k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... "Supernatural or miraculous conception" is equally unsatisfactory as it involves
a question-begging comparison between the birth of Christ and the exceptional ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of shibboleth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about change? | GotQuestions.org

Begging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus