Exodus 22:22Deuteronomy 10:18Psalm 146:9Job 31:21Psalm 109:9-10Psalm 109:10Proverbs 23:10Job 24:3Job 22:9Job 6:27 Psalm 94:6
God, however, has a special concern for orphans and widows (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 10:14-18; Psalm 146:9; Hosea 14:3 ) evidenced in the title “a father of the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5 ). Old Testament law provided for the material needs of orphans and widows who were to be fed from the third year's tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 26:12-13 ), from sheaves left forgotten in the fields (Deuteronomy 24:19 ), and from fruit God commanded to be left on the trees and vines (Deuteronomy 24:20-21 ). Orphans and widows were to be included in the celebrations of the worshiping community (Deuteronomy 16:11 ,Deuteronomy 16:11,16:14 ). God's people were repeatedly warned not to take advantage of orphans and widows (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:19; Psalm 82:3; Isaiah 1:17 ). In the New Testament, James defined worship acceptable to God as meeting the needs of orphans and widows (Isaiah 1:27 ).
God's exiled people were described as orphans without home or inheritance (Lamentations 5:2-3 ). The Old Testament image of the orphan without a helper at the court perhaps forms the background for Jesus' promise that His disciples would not be left orphans (John 14:18 , NAS, NIV, NRSV; “comfortless”, KJV; “bereft”, REB). They would not be defenseless since the Holy Spirit would act as their advocate (John 14:16 ). Paul described his painful separation from the Thessalonian Christians as being orphaned (1 Thessalonians 2:17 , NRSV).
Chris Church
The product of over 6 years of work by hundreds of people, the Holman Bible Dictionary manages to be readable and easy to use, yet take advantage of the finest modern Bible scholarship without heavy technical language. The over 6,600 entries includes extensive cross-referencing of related articles, and quotes from 6 different Bible translations.Wikipedia
Read More