The Hebrew word evyon describes a person in extreme poverty and need — one who lacks the basic necessities of life and must depend on others or on God for sustenance. It appears over 60 times in the Old Testament, often paired with ani (H6041, the humble poor). Unlike a simple reference to lack of wealth, evyon conveys helpless vulnerability and desperate dependence.
God's heart for the evyon (needy/poor) is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The Law commanded Israel to leave grain for them (Leviticus 19:9–10), the Psalms declare God as their defender (Psalm 35:10), and the prophets condemned those who oppressed them (Amos 4:1). The Proverbs teach that those who mock the poor insult their Maker (Proverbs 17:5). Jesus declared the poor blessed in His kingdom (Matthew 5:3; Luke 4:18), fulfilling the pattern of the God who lifts the needy from the dust.