Dal describes people marked by poverty and need, and in a few contexts by weakness or low condition.

The adjective most often identifies persons or groups subject to material lack, social vulnerability, oppression, or a need for just treatment. A smaller set of contexts uses it for comparative weakness or a lowered condition, including a weakened house, a downcast individual, and a weak clan.

1. Persons in poverty or need · dominant

   The adjective identifies those who may be oppressed, denied justice, or aided: in Amos 2:7 the APB renders a clause about crushing their heads, while in Proverbs 19:17 it renders generosity toward them. In Psalm 82:3 the singular form occurs in the command to judge the poor and give justice, and Jeremiah 39:10 describes those left in Judah as having nothing left.

   Amos 2:7Proverbs 19:17Psalm 82:3Jeremiah 39:10Leviticus 14:21Job 34:19
2. Weak or low in condition · rare

   In 2 Samuel 3:1 the plural adjective characterizes Saul's house as growing weaker while David's grew stronger. In 2 Samuel 13:4 it occurs in Jonadab's question about Amnon's downcast state, and in Judges 6:15 Gideon applies it to his clan as the weakest in Manasseh.

   2 Samuel 3:12 Samuel 13:4Judges 6:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the supplied verses, the APB commonly presents the adjective as “poor,” including persons needing justice, protection, or provision. It also uses “weak,” “weakest,” and “downcast” in the smaller group of contexts concerning diminished strength or condition.