Dictionary of Biblical Words:
These are the first to be called “blessed” in the sermon on the mount and signify those who by grace have learned to be nothing in their own ayes, or if anything, “lees than the least of all saints.” A peculiar blessing is pronounced on those who thus bear the likeness of their Lord (Matt. 5:3).
Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(bare). Poor especially cared for under Jewish dispensation (Ex. 23:6; Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 15:7). Spirit continued (Luke 3:11; 14:13; Acts 6:1).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
It was said in the Old Testament that “the poor should never cease out of the land,” and in the enactments of the law they were cared for by Jehovah. The Lord said, “Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good” (Mark 14:7). “Blessed is he that considereth the poor” (Psa. 41:1). “The poor have the gospel preached unto them” (Matt. 11:5). “When thou makest a feast call the poor” (Luke 14:13). “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord” (Prov. 19:17). Other passages show that the working of the love of God in the soul issues in a special regard for the poor (Gal. 2:10). Of the Lord Jesus it is said, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9).
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
from πτώσσω (to crouch); akin to 4422 and the alternate of 4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e. pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas 3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed)
KJV Usage:
beggar(-ly), poor