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אֶבְיוֹן

𐤀𐤁𐤉𐤅𐤍

ʼebyôwn

H34 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אבה to desire, to long for, to want

Definition

One who is in a state of material need, lacking basic resources; often connotes a person who is socially or economically oppressed, helpless, or dependent on others for provision. The term encompasses those deprived not only of material wealth but also of status and protection, emphasizing vulnerability and neediness.

Semantic Range

impoverished, needy, destitute, dependent, lacking power, material want, one deprived of resources or protection

Root / Etymology

From the root אבה (ʼ-b-h), meaning 'to desire, long for, be willing.' The form אֶבְיוֹן is derived from this root and expresses the state of yearning or wanting, particularly in the sense of lacking what is necessary.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, אֶבְיוֹן denotes those who are materially impoverished or lacking social power, often as objects of legal or prophetic concern (e.g., Deut 15:7-11; Ps 82:3). It is sometimes paired with עָנִי (ʽanî, 'afflicted' or 'poor') but tends to emphasize destitution and the inability to fend for oneself. In legal and prophetic texts, the ʼebyôn is often a recipient of prescribed protections, and neglect or exploitation of the אֶבְיוֹן is presented as a sign of societal failure. The English 'beggar' is sometimes too narrow, as the term can include any person in deep need, regardless of whether they actively beg. In later periods, translations and traditions (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) sometimes created overlaps with terms for 'poor' or 'miserable,' and in later tradition, the term took on symbolic values related to piety or humility, but this is not primary in biblical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָבָה, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute; beggar, needy, poor (man).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבה (ʾ-b-h) — to desire, to long for, to want

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H14 אָבָה he was willing
H16 אֵבֶה papyrus reed
H17 אֲבוֹי Ah, woe!
H35 אֲבִיּוֹנָה the desire-arousing caper berry
H5666 עָבָה he was willing

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H34-10 וְ/אֶבְי֑וֹן veeveyon HC/Aamsa and needy man in want 20
H34-01 אֶבְי֑וֹן eveyon HAamsa the needy man in want 15
H34-05 אֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים eveyonim HAampa of the needy needy ones 8
H34-07 לָ/אֶבְי֖וֹן laeveyon HRd/Aamsa for the needy to a needy man 4
H34-08 לָ/אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים laeveyonim HRd/Aampa to the needy to the needy men 3
H34-12 וְ/אֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים veeveyonim HC/Aampa and the needy and needy men 3
H34-06 הָ/אֶבְיֽוֹן haeveyon HTd/Aamsa the-poor the needy man 2
H34-02 אֶבְיֹנְ/ךָ֖ eveyonekha HAamsc/Sp2ms your-poor your needy man 1
H34-13 וְ/הָ/אֶבְיוֹנִ֜ים vehaeveyonim HC/Td/Aampa and the needy and the needy men 1
H34-09 וּ/לְ/אֶבְיֹנְ/ךָ֖ uleeveyonekha HC/R/Aamsc/Sp2ms and to your needy and to your needy man 1

Occurrences in Scripture

61 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H34-02 Exodus 23:6 אֶבְיֹנְ/ךָ֖ eveyonekha HAamsc/Sp2ms your-poor your needy man
H34-03 Exodus 23:11 אֶבְיֹנֵ֣י eveyoney HAampc the needy of needy ones of
H34-01 Deuteronomy 15:4 אֶבְי֑וֹן eveyon HAamsa poor man in want
H34-01 Deuteronomy 15:7 אֶבְי֜וֹן eveyon HAamsa poor man in want
H34-06 Deuteronomy 15:7 הָ/אֶבְיֽוֹן haeveyon HTd/Aamsa the poor the needy man
H34-06 Deuteronomy 15:9 הָֽ/אֶבְי֔וֹן haeveyon HTd/Aamsa the-poor the needy man
H34-01 Deuteronomy 15:11 אֶבְי֖וֹן eveyon HAamsa poor man in want
H34-09 Deuteronomy 15:11 וּ/לְ/אֶבְיֹנְ/ךָ֖ uleeveyonekha HC/R/Aamsc/Sp2ms and to your needy and to your needy man
H34-10 Deuteronomy 24:14 וְ/אֶבְי֑וֹן veeveyon HC/Aamsa and needy man in want
H34-01 1 Samuel 2:8 אֶבְי֔וֹן eveyon HAamsa the needy man in want
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