ἐνδε-ής G1729
needy, lacking, in want; deficient or deprived of necessary resources
This adjective describes someone in need or lacking necessities. Acts 4:34 uses it to describe the early church's economic sharing: 'Neither was there any among them that lacked.' The term indicates material want or deprivation. Classical usage shows it could mean lacking in specific things or generally in need, sometimes with comparative force (more deficient). Luke emphasizes the complete elimination of poverty in the Jerusalem church through radical generosity and communal sharing.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Acts 4:34 celebrates the economic miracle of the early church: 'There was not a needy person among them.' This echoes Deuteronomy 15:4's vision of no poor in Israel. The adjective ἐνδεής marks material lack, and its negation here signals complete provision. Glosses like needy, necesitado, and manquant capture the economic dimension. The community's sharing practice eradicated want—a powerful witness to transformed relationships. 1×
AR["مُحْتَاجٌ"]·ben["অভাবী"]·DE["ἐνδεής"]·EN["needy"]·FR["manquant"]·heb["נֶחְסָר"]·HI["कोई-भी"]·ID["kekurangan"]·IT["mancanza"]·jav["kekurangan"]·KO["누구든지"]·PT["necessitado"]·RU["нуждающийся"]·ES["necesitado"]·SW["mhitaji"]·TR["muhtaç"]·urd["محتاج"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐνδε-ής, ές, neuter plural ἐνδεᾶ: (ἐνδέω B):— wanting or lacking in, in need of, with genitive, ἐ. εἶναι or γεγενῆσθαί τινος, Refs 5th c.BC+; πολλῶν ἐ., opposed to αὐτάρκης, Refs 5th c.BC+; ποιητοῦ δ᾽ ἐστὶν ἐ... πρὸς τὸ ἐπιδεῖξαι, caret vate sacro, Refs __2 absolutely, in want, in need, Refs 5th c.BC+ __2.b lacking, deficient, frequently in comparative, ἐνδεέστερα πράγματα Refs 5th c.BC+;…