- POOR The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important.
(1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Leviticus 19:9, 10;
Deuteronomy 24:19,21).
(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of
the fields and the vineyards (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6).
(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Leviticus
25:25-30).
(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned
before the sun went down (Exodus 22:25-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13).
The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).
(5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free
(Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Leviticus 25:39-42, 47-54).
(6.) Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor
(Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13).
(7.) They shared in the feasts (Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Nehemiah 8:10).
(8.) Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Leviticus 19:13).
In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James
2:15, 16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor.
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 the case of
those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to “work
with their own hands” as a Christian duty (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2
Thessalonians 3:7-13; Ephesians 4:28). This word is used figuratively in
Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17.
- POPLAR Hebrews libneh, “white”, (Genesis 30:37; Hos. 4:13), in all
probability the storax tree (Styrax officinalis) or white poplar,
distinguished by its white blossoms and pale leaves. It is common in the
Anti-Libanus. Other species of the poplar are found in Palestine, such as
the white poplar (P. alba) of our own country, the black poplar (P. nigra),
and the aspen (P. tremula). (See WILLOW.) - PORCH, SOLOMON’S a colonnade on the east of the temple, so called
from a tradition that it was a relic of Solomon’s temple left standing after
the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. (Comp. 1 Kings 7:6.)