Lexical Summary ikkar: Farmer, plowman Original Word: אִכָּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance husbandman, ploughman From an unused root meaning to dig; a farmer -- husbandman, ploughman. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a plowman, husbandman NASB Translation farmer (3), farmers (3), plowmen (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אִכָּר noun masculineJoel 1:11 ploughman, husband-man (Arabic  , Aramaic  , אִיבָּרָא, compare Mishna) ׳א singular absolute Jeremiah 51:23 (+ וְצִמְדּוֺ) Amos 5:16; plural אִכָּרִים Jeremiah 14:4; Jeremiah 31:24 ("" וְנָָֽסְעוּ בָעֵדֶר) 2 Chronicles 26:10 ("" כֹּרְמִים) Joel 1:11 ("" id.,), אִכָּרֵיכֶם Isaiah 61:5 ("" id.) אַכְשָׁף see כשׁף. I. אַל (= Topical Lexicon Core Meaning אִכָּר designates the farmer or plowman who tills the soil, cultivates crops, and so sustains Israel’s agrarian economy. He represents the ordinary working Israelite whose labor undergirds family, tribe, and nation. Agricultural Backbone of Covenant Community The covenant blessings announced in Torah presuppose an ordered farming life—rain in its season, fertile ground, and abundant harvests (Leviticus 26:4-5; Deuteronomy 28:4-5). The אִכָּר is therefore a living gauge of the nation’s covenant standing: when farmers flourish, blessing is visible; when they languish, the nation is under discipline. Historical Snapshot—2 Chronicles 26:10 King Uzziah’s reign offers an inspired case study: “He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He also had farmers and vinedressers in the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.” The monarch’s provision for “farmers” (אִכָּרִים) shows a godly ruler’s concern for agricultural infrastructure—towers for security, cisterns for irrigation, and laborers for cultivation. The text affirms that political leadership must safeguard primary producers if the realm is to prosper. Prophetic Portraits of Judgment 1. Drought (Jeremiah 14:4): “The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.” The plowman’s humiliation embodies national guilt when covenant curses withhold rain. Prophetic Visions of Restoration Isaiah anticipates a day when foreigners will gladly serve Israel’s agriculture: “Strangers will stand and shepherd your flocks; foreigners will be your farmers and vinedressers” (Isaiah 61:5). Jeremiah adds, “Judah and all its cities will dwell together… the farmers and those who move with the flocks” (Jeremiah 31:24). Prosperous farmers become an eschatological sign of renewed covenant favor. Spiritual Principles and Ministry Application • Stewardship: The plowman models diligence and patience (Proverbs 12:11). Ministry likewise requires steady, unseen labor before visible fruit appears. Inter-Testamental Echoes While אִכָּר does not appear in the Greek Scriptures, its theology resonates: These verses draw on the respected image of the farmer established in the Hebrew canon. Related Hebrew Vocabulary • עֹבֵד – “worker, tiller” (Genesis 4:2). Summary אִכָּר embodies the faithful steward of the land whose fortunes mirror Israel’s spiritual health. From royal reform to prophetic warning to eschatological hope, the farmer stands at the intersection of earth and heaven, reminding every generation that covenant obedience is the true fertilizer of the field and the sure foundation of national blessing. Forms and Transliterations אִכָּ֣ר אִכָּר֙ אִכָּרִ֕ים אִכָּרִ֖ים אִכָּרִ֗ים אִכָּרִ֣ים אִכָּרֵיכֶ֖ם אכר אכריכם אכרים ’ik·kā·rê·ḵem ’ik·kā·rîm ’ik·kār ’ikkār ’ikkārêḵem ’ikkārîm ikKar ikkareiChem ikkaRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 26:10 HEB: וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה וּבַמִּישׁ֑וֹר אִכָּרִ֣ים וְכֹֽרְמִ֗ים בֶּהָרִים֙ NAS: and in the plain. [He also had] plowmen and vinedressers KJV: and in the plains: husbandmen [also], and vine dressers INT: the lowland the plain plowmen and vinedressers the hill Isaiah 61:5 Jeremiah 14:4 Jeremiah 31:24 Jeremiah 51:23 Joel 1:11 Amos 5:16 7 Occurrences |
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, Arabic article, preserved perhaps in following words derived by Hebrews from (or through) Arabic-speaking tribes; compare English algebra, Alhambra, alkali, alcohol, alcove, etc.)