Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence (Ex. 23:11; Dt. 15:11), but there is no mention of beggars properly so called in the Old Testament. The poor were provided for by the law of Moses (Lev. 19:10; Dt. 12:12, 14:29). It is predicted of the seed of the wicked that they shall be beggars (Ps. 37:25, 109:10).
In the New Testament we find not seldom mention made of beggars (Mk. 10:46; Lk. 16:20, 21; Acts 3:2), yet there is no mention of such a class as vagrant beggars, so numerous in the East. "Beggarly," in Gal. 4:9, means worthless.