Relative and Absolute Poverty in Hebrew and in Classical and New Testament Greek

Poverty in ancient Israel could be either relative or absolute, depending on the criterion of minimal existence. An analysis of the terminology in the relevant written sources, namely various Biblical and (classical) Greek texts, indicates there are different levels and forms of poverty. It should be noted that the proposed distinction can be terminologically supported only by the Hebrew Bible and the Greek classical texts, but not by the New Testament writings. Consequently, this article attempts to clarify, on the basis of analysis of terminology denoting different levels of poverty, the reasons for which the New Testament writings do not show the same pattern of relative and absolute poverty.