In biblical times, the role of a farmer was integral to the sustenance and economy of ancient societies. Agriculture was the primary means of livelihood for many, and the Bible frequently references farming, using it as a metaphor for spiritual truths and divine principles.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous insights into the life and work of a farmer. From the very beginning, Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to "work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). This establishes the divine mandate for humanity to engage in agriculture and stewardship of the earth.

The Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, were given specific agricultural laws. These included the Sabbatical Year, where the land was to rest every seventh year (Leviticus 25:4), and the Year of Jubilee, which emphasized the restoration of land and freedom (Leviticus 25:10). These laws underscored the importance of trusting God for provision and recognizing His sovereignty over the land.

The Book of Proverbs often highlights the virtues of hard work and diligence, using the farmer as an example: "He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment" (Proverbs 12:11). This reflects the biblical principle that labor and industry are rewarded by God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently used agricultural imagery in His parables to convey spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, likening them to seeds sown on various types of soil. This parable emphasizes the importance of a receptive heart to the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul also draws on agricultural metaphors to describe spiritual growth and ministry. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 , he writes, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." This passage highlights the collaborative nature of ministry and the ultimate reliance on God for spiritual increase.

Spiritual Significance

The life of a farmer in biblical times was marked by dependence on God for rain and harvest. This dependence is mirrored in the spiritual life, where believers are called to trust in God's provision and timing. James 5:7 encourages believers to be patient, "like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth," illustrating the virtue of patience in awaiting the Lord's return.

The farmer's work is also a reminder of the principle of sowing and reaping, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. Galatians 6:7-9 warns, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This principle applies both to moral conduct and spiritual investments.

Cultural and Historical Insights

Farming in biblical times involved various crops, including wheat, barley, grapes, olives, and figs. The agricultural calendar was closely tied to religious festivals, such as Passover, which coincided with the barley harvest, and Pentecost, which marked the wheat harvest.

The tools and methods used by ancient farmers were simple yet effective. Plowing was done with oxen, and harvesting was a communal activity, often involving the entire family and community. The threshing floor was a place of both labor and celebration, as seen in the account of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 3:2).

In summary, the farmer in the Bible is a figure of diligence, faith, and reliance on God. Through the lens of agriculture, Scripture reveals profound truths about human responsibility, divine provision, and the spiritual harvest that awaits those who labor faithfully in God's kingdom.1. (n.) One who farms

2. (n.) One who hires and cultivates a farm; a cultivator of leased ground; a tenant.

3. (n.) One who is devoted to the tillage of the soil; one who cultivates a farm; an agriculturist; a husbandman.

4. (n.) One who takes taxes, customs, excise, or other duties, to collect, either paying a fixed annual rent for the privilege; as, a farmer of the revenues.

5. (n.) The lord of the field, or one who farms the lot and cope of the crown.

1092. georgos -- a husbandman, vinedresser
... Spelling: (gheh-ore-gos') Short Definition: a worker of the soil, husbandman,
vine-dresser Definition: a worker of the soil, husbandman, farmer, farm-laborer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1092.htm - 7k

5057. telones -- tax collector
... Word Origin from telos and oneomai Definition a farmer of taxes, ie a tax collector
NASB Word Usage collector (1), tax collector (5), tax collectors (15). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5057.htm - 7k

4615. sinapi -- mustard (a plant)
... [The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds that a Palestinian farmer would sow .
A mustard plant reaches a height of three meters (about ten feet). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4615.htm - 6k

406. ikkar -- a plowman, husbandman
... 405, 406. ikkar. 407 . a plowman, husbandman. Transliteration: ikkar
Phonetic Spelling: (ik-kawr') Short Definition: farmer. Word ...
/hebrew/406.htm - 5k

2790a. charash -- to cut in, engrave, plow, devise
... root Definition to cut in, engrave, plow, devise NASB Word Usage devise (4), devises
(2), do (1), engraved (1), farmer plow (1), implements (1), plotting (1 ...
/hebrew/2790a.htm - 5k

How John Became a Man
... As the news of John's wonderful conversion and of his work among the people spread
throughout the country, it reached the ears of Farmer Z, in whose home John ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter xi how john became.htm

Leaving Home
... it was, he soon gathered together his belongings, and while still in his thirteenth
year, said good-by to his people, and went away to work for a thrifty farmer ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter vii leaving home.htm

The Rich Man Poor.
... I heard of a farmer who, when a friend of mine called upon him to give something
for the Christian Commission, promptly drew a check for ten thousand dollars. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the rich man poor.htm

The Economic Challenge to the Church
... The farmer's income must be increased as compared with other groups before
there can be a well-balanced relatively stable American life. ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter iii the economic challenge.htm

Questions and Answers--Sorrowful Cases--Testimonies from those who ...
... Labour is so scarce out there, and hired help so dear, while food is so plentiful,
that the Canadian farmer finds it quite worth his while to take a little boy ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter ix questions and answerssorrowful.htm

Thankful Service.
... gratitude. During the last American War a farmer was discovered one day
kneeling by the grave of a soldier lately killed in battle. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lix thankful service.htm

The Blessing of Mercy,
... over.". Once, a farmer, out on the Western Prairies of America, started
for a distant town, to receive some money due to him. As ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxix the blessing of.htm

The Death of the Christian
... When the seed first sprung up the farmer dreaded lest the worm should bite the tender
shoots, and the blade should be devoured, or lest some sharp frost should ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

Ignorance of the Seed Makes no Difference.
... things that will help to develop character must be selected for him, and hurtful
things must be kept out, just as industriously as the farmer cultivates the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter vi ignorance of the.htm

Epistle Xliv. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... And we desire no part of these marriage fees to be credited to our account, but
that they should go to the benefit of the farmer (conductorem). ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xliv to peter subdeacon.htm

Farmer (17 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One who takes taxes, customs, excise, or other duties, to collect, either
paying a fixed annual rent for the privilege; as, a farmer of the revenues. ...
/f/farmer.htm - 11k

Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences)
Tax-farmer. Taxes, Tax-farmer. Tax-farmers . Multi-Version Concordance
Tax-farmer (7 Occurrences). Matthew 10:3 Philip ...
/t/tax-farmer.htm - 8k

Farmer's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Farmer's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 13:27 "So the farmer's
men come and ask him, "'Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed on your land? ...
/f/farmer's.htm - 6k

Sheep-farmer (1 Occurrence)
Sheep-farmer. Sheep-cotes, Sheep-farmer. Sheepfold . Multi-Version
Concordance Sheep-farmer (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings ...
/s/sheep-farmer.htm - 6k

Farmers (23 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/f/farmers.htm - 12k

Sow (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, "Behold, a
farmer went out to sow. ... Mark 4:14 The farmer sows the word. ...
/s/sow.htm - 26k

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/v/vineyard.htm - 29k

Tenants (18 Occurrences)
... "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built
a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. ...
/t/tenants.htm - 10k

Produce (140 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the
farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard. (See NAS). ...
/p/produce.htm - 37k

Taxes (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:27 And after these things he went out, and saw Levi, a tax-farmer, seated
at the place where taxes were taken, and said to him, Come after me. (BBE DBY). ...
/t/taxes.htm - 14k

What does the Bible say about being stiff-necked? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)? | GotQuestions.org

What is a husbandman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Farmer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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