The term "indigent" refers to individuals who are impoverished or lacking the basic necessities of life. In the biblical context, the indigent are often referred to as the poor, needy, or destitute. Scripture provides numerous references to the indigent, emphasizing God's concern for them and the responsibility of His people to care for those in need.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law includes specific provisions for the care of the indigent. For example, Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs the Israelites to leave the gleanings of their harvest for the poor and the foreigner: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."

The Psalms frequently highlight God's compassion for the indigent. Psalm 82:3-4 commands, "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked." This reflects the biblical mandate to protect and provide for those who cannot fend for themselves.

The prophets also speak to the issue of poverty and the treatment of the indigent. Isaiah 58:6-7 calls for true fasting that involves sharing food with the hungry and providing shelter for the homeless: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into your home, when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh and blood?"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is marked by His compassion for the indigent. He often associated with the poor and marginalized, offering them hope and healing. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This beatitude highlights the spiritual value and dignity of those who recognize their need for God.

The early church continued this emphasis on caring for the indigent. 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." This practice reflects the early Christian commitment to ensuring that no member of the community suffered from want.

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of poverty, urging believers to be generous and to support those in need. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , he writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This teaching underscores the importance of voluntary and joyful giving as an expression of faith and love.

Theological Implications

The biblical treatment of the indigent underscores several key theological themes. First, it reflects God's character as compassionate and just, concerned with the well-being of all His creation. Second, it highlights the ethical responsibility of God's people to act as His agents of mercy and justice in the world. Finally, it points to the eschatological hope of a future kingdom where poverty and suffering will be no more, as God's perfect justice and peace are fully realized.

Throughout Scripture, the indigent are not merely objects of charity but are seen as integral members of the community, deserving of dignity and respect. The biblical call to care for the indigent is a call to reflect God's love and justice in tangible ways, serving as a witness to His kingdom on earth.1. (a.) Poor; needy; destitute.

2. (a.) Destitute of property or means of comfortable subsistence; needy; poor; in want; necessitous.

4433. ptocheuo -- to be a beggar, be destitute
... become poor. From ptochos; to be a beggar, ie (by implication) to become
indigent (figuratively) -- become poor. see GREEK ptochos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4433.htm - 7k

3993. penes -- one who works for his living
... poor. From a primary peno (to toil for daily subsistence); starving, ie Indigent --
poor. Compare ptochos. see GREEK ptochos. (penesin) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3993.htm - 6k

1803. dallah -- hair, thrum
... From dalah; properly, something dangling, ie A loose thread or hair; figuratively,
indigent -- hair, pining sickness, poor(-est sort). see HEBREW dalah. ...
/hebrew/1803.htm - 5k

4542. misken -- poor
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition poor NASB Word Usage poor (3), poor
man (1). poor man. From cikluwth; indigent -- poor (man). see HEBREW cikluwth ...
/hebrew/4542.htm - 5k

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... "Give to every one that asketh of thee" [4062] "to the indigent of course, or rather
to the indigent more especially, although to the affluent likewise. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

Wherefore Even they which Having Relinquished or Distributed their ...
... Nor is it to be regarded in what monasteries, or in what place, any man may
have bestowed his former having upon his indigent brethren. ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 33 wherefore even they.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others ...
... For, when we administer necessaries of any kind to the indigent, we do not bestow
our own, but render them what is theirs; we rather pay a debt of justice than ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxi how those are.htm

Upon Compassion. Preached the First Sunday in Lent.
... Thus, to relieve the indigent and distressed, to single out the unhappy, from whom
can be expected no returns either of present entertainment or future service ...
/.../butler/human nature/sermon vi upon compassion preached.htm

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
... The wicked, or natural man, is not an indigent man, he wants nothing, and therefore
seeks nothing from God, but the Christian is one who hath nothing in himself ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi and watch unto.htm

Peculiarities of Tennessee Synod.
... encourage the promulgation of the Gospel; for they may, if they deem it expedient,
assist any student in getting his education, or any indigent congregation in ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/peculiarities of tennessee synod.htm

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... they were truly in himself. We are creatures by nature most indigent, yet
most proud, which is unnatural. No man is satisfied within ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii boast not thyself.htm

Letter cxxvi. (AD 411. )
... For although there may have mixed in the crowd some who are indigent or beggars,
who helped to increase the clamour, and were actuated by the hope of some ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxvi a d 411.htm

God, when one Believes in Him as You and I Do...
... This name is extended now; it embraces really all the People; but still it is used
as the name of the indigent and suffering part of the People. ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/v god when one believes.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... Among those who in the beginning embraced Christianity, it may be supposed
that there were many persons in indigent circumstances. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

Indigent (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Indigent (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of
a man's life is his riches; but the indigent heareth not rebuke. (DBY). ...
/i/indigent.htm - 7k

Beggarly (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) In the condition of, or like, a beggar; suitable for a beggar; extremely
indigent; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible. ...
/b/beggarly.htm - 8k

Indignant (22 Occurrences)

/i/indignant.htm - 12k

Needy (83 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Distressed by lack of the means of living; very
poor; indigent; necessitous. 2. (superl.) Necessary; requiste. Int. ...
/n/needy.htm - 30k

Indifferent (2 Occurrences)

/i/indifferent.htm - 7k

Poverty (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being poor or indigent;
want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need. ...
/p/poverty.htm - 21k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... 17. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (superl.) Destitute of property; wanting
in material riches or goods; needy; indigent. 2. (superl ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

Bare (250 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Destitute; indigent; empty; unfurnished or scantily furnished; -- used with
of (rarely with in) before the thing wanting or taken away; as, a room bare ...
/b/bare.htm - 35k

Starve (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To die; to perish. 2. (vi) To perish with hunger; to suffer extreme hunger
or want; to be very indigent. 3. (vi) To perish or die with cold. ...
/s/starve.htm - 8k

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)
... Thus, Lazarus represents the pious indigent who stood at the opposite extreme
from the proud, covetous, and luxury-loving Pharisee. ...
/l/lazarus.htm - 21k

Was Jesus a refugee? | GotQuestions.org

Indigent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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