Agriculture in biblical times was a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern society, providing sustenance and economic stability for the people of Israel and surrounding nations. The produce of the land was not only vital for local consumption but also played a significant role in trade and export, contributing to the wealth and prosperity of the region.

Grain and Cereals

Grain, particularly wheat and barley, was a staple in the diet of the Israelites and a primary agricultural product. The fertile lands of Israel, especially the plains and valleys, were well-suited for growing these cereals. In Genesis 41:49, during the time of Joseph, Egypt stored vast quantities of grain, "like the sand of the sea," highlighting the abundance and importance of grain in the region. Grain was often exported to neighboring regions, as seen in Ezekiel 27:17, where Judah and Israel are described as trading wheat with Tyre.

Olives and Olive Oil

Olive trees were abundant in the hilly regions of Israel, and olive oil was a significant export product. It was used not only for cooking but also for anointing, lighting lamps, and religious rituals. The prominence of olive oil is evident in Deuteronomy 8:8, which describes the Promised Land as "a land of olive oil and honey." Olive oil was a valuable commodity in trade, as indicated in 1 Kings 5:11, where Solomon provided Hiram, king of Tyre, with "twenty thousand baths of olive oil" annually.

Grapes and Wine

Vineyards were widespread, and wine production was a major agricultural activity. The land of Canaan was renowned for its vineyards, as noted in Numbers 13:23, where the spies sent by Moses brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole. Wine was a significant export product, and its trade is mentioned in Hosea 9:2, where the threshing floor and winepress are described as not sustaining the people, indicating the importance of wine in the economy.

Figs and Dates

Figs and dates were also important agricultural products. Figs are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing prosperity and peace, as in 1 Kings 4:25, where "every man under his vine and under his fig tree" signifies security and abundance. Dates, particularly from the palm trees of Jericho, were a sweet delicacy and a valuable trade item.

Honey

Honey, often derived from dates or figs rather than bees, was another significant product. It is frequently mentioned alongside other agricultural products, as in Deuteronomy 8:8, emphasizing the richness of the land. Honey was a sought-after export due to its sweetness and versatility.

Livestock and Animal Products

While not plant-based, livestock and their products were integral to agriculture. Sheep, goats, and cattle provided meat, milk, and wool. The export of livestock and animal products is implied in various passages, such as in 2 Chronicles 2:10, where Solomon promises to supply Hiram with "twenty thousand baths of wine, twenty thousand baths of olive oil, and twenty thousand cors of wheat" for the workers, indicating a robust trade network.

Trade and Economic Impact

The export of agricultural produce was crucial for the economic health of Israel and its neighbors. The trade routes that crisscrossed the ancient Near East facilitated the exchange of goods, including agricultural products, contributing to the wealth and influence of the region. The Bible often reflects on the prosperity brought by agriculture, as seen in the blessings promised in Deuteronomy 28:11, where the Lord will "make you prosper abundantly in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land."

In summary, agriculture and the export of its produce were vital to the biblical economy, providing sustenance, wealth, and a means of fulfilling God's promises of abundance and prosperity to His people.1 Kings 5:11
And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 27:17
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were your merchants: they traded in your market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Provision Ground
... as for a suburban market-garden, the produce might be ... Garden-tillage and spade-farming
are not learnt in a ... What will be the future of agriculture in the West ...
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