Topical Bible: Agriculture or Farming: The Occupation of Man Before the Fall

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Agriculture, as depicted in the Bible, is not merely an occupation but a divine mandate given to humanity from the very beginning of creation. The Book of Genesis provides the foundational narrative for understanding the role of agriculture in the life of man before the Fall. In Genesis 2:15 , it is written, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse highlights the primary responsibility entrusted to Adam, the first man, to work and maintain the garden, indicating that agriculture was an integral part of God's original design for human life.

The Garden of Eden, described as a place of abundance and beauty, was a testament to God's provision and the ideal environment for mankind. The task of cultivating and keeping the garden was not burdensome but rather a fulfilling and harmonious activity, reflecting the perfect relationship between God, man, and creation. The Hebrew words used in this context, "abad" (to cultivate) and "shamar" (to keep), suggest a stewardship role, where man was to serve and protect the garden, ensuring its flourishing.

The significance of agriculture in the pre-Fall world is further underscored by the provision of food. Genesis 1:29 states, "Then God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.'" This divine provision emphasizes the abundance and sufficiency of the earth's resources, designed to sustain human life without toil or hardship.

In this prelapsarian state, agriculture was characterized by a direct and unimpeded relationship between man and the land. There was no mention of the thorns, thistles, or the sweat of the brow that would later define post-Fall agriculture (Genesis 3:17-19). Instead, the work was a joyful expression of man's role as God's co-regent on earth, exercising dominion over creation in a manner that mirrored God's own creative work.

The narrative of agriculture before the Fall also serves as a theological framework for understanding the broader biblical themes of stewardship, provision, and the intended harmony between humanity and the natural world. It sets the stage for the redemptive arc of Scripture, where the restoration of creation and the reconciliation of all things are anticipated in the eschatological hope of a new heaven and a new earth.

Thus, agriculture, as the occupation of man before the Fall, is a profound testament to God's original purpose for humanity—a purpose marked by stewardship, abundance, and a harmonious relationship with creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chaldaean Civilization
... Farming and cultivation of the ground: landmarks, slaves, and ... children in these houses
when the man had several ... Maternity was before all things a woman's first ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm