The anawim

 

 

In Old Testament times, it was common to group together those of lowly status without earthly power: the vulnerable, marginalised, and those oppressed in a socio-economic sense. They were often known as the ‘bowed down’—the anawim, which is pronounced ‘ann-a-weem’.

The Hebrew word originally meant ‘to be stooped, lowered or humbled, overwhelmed’.The prophets often spoke up often for the anawim, usually because so few others cared for them. Many of the anawim gained a reputation for righteous living. The anawim often remained faithful to God, hence the phrase ‘bowed down’—so the phrase could imply worship as well as being brow-beaten.

The anawim were referred to by euphemisms such as ‘the poor’ or ‘little ones’, so many references in the New Testament to ‘the poor’ can also be read through this lens: it’s not so much economic poverty (though that aspect was very real indeed) as an underclass living without hope. The idea also arose that the anawim placed their entire trust in God because they were lowly and humble of heart. They were ‘poor in spirit’ and the true handmaids and servants of the Lord.

Likely scriptural references to the anawim include:

• God loves his people and he adorns the lowly with victory (Psalm 149:4)
• The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1)
• These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word (Isaiah 62:2)
• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)
• Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5)
•  Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord’ (Luke 1:38)
• Jesus said, ‘The Kingdom of God belongs to those who have hearts as trusting as these little children … Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it’ (Luke 18:16–17)