The phrase “poor in spirit” is found in the Bible, specifically in the Beatitudes of the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:3). In Hebrew, the term that corresponds to “poor” is “עָנִי” (ani), which denotes someone who is humble or in need, often in a material sense but can also imply a spiritual state of humility.
The concept of being “poor in spirit” can be understood as recognizing one’s spiritual poverty or need for God. It conveys humility, an acknowledgment of one’s limitations, and a dependence on divine grace. In the Hebrew Bible, this idea is often reflected in the words of the prophets and the Psalms, where the faithful express their reliance on God and their awareness of their own insufficiency without divine intervention.
In a broader context, being “poor in spirit” can also relate to the idea of having a humble heart, seeking righteousness, and being open to spiritual truths, which aligns with the values of the Hebrew Scriptures.