Topical Bible: Woman: Often Engaged in Agriculture

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In the biblical narrative, women frequently played significant roles in agricultural activities, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The Bible provides numerous instances where women are depicted as active participants in farming and related tasks, highlighting their contributions to the sustenance and economic stability of their families and communities.

Ruth and the Harvest:
One of the most notable examples is Ruth, a Moabite woman who became an integral part of the Israelite community. After the death of her husband, Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and returned with her to Bethlehem. To provide for themselves, Ruth worked in the fields during the barley and wheat harvests. The Book of Ruth describes her gleaning behind the harvesters in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's late husband. Ruth 2:2 states, "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.'"

The Proverbs 31 Woman:
The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 is another example of a woman engaged in agricultural endeavors. This passage portrays her as industrious and resourceful, involved in various economic activities, including planting a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16 notes, "She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard." This depiction underscores the woman's role in managing and contributing to the family's agricultural wealth.

Women in the Parables of Jesus:
In the New Testament, Jesus often used agricultural metaphors in His parables, some of which included women. For instance, in the Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33), a woman is depicted as mixing leaven into flour, a task that, while domestic, is closely tied to the agricultural production of grain. This parable illustrates the transformative power of the Kingdom of Heaven, using a woman's work in preparing bread as a metaphor.

The Daughters of Zelophehad:
While not directly involved in agriculture, the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27) are significant for their role in securing inheritance rights, which included land ownership. Their successful appeal to Moses for the right to inherit their father's land set a precedent for women's property rights, indirectly affecting their participation in agricultural activities.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Israel, agriculture was the backbone of society, and women were essential contributors. They participated in planting, harvesting, and processing crops, as well as managing household resources. The Bible reflects this reality, acknowledging women's labor and its importance to family and community life.

Throughout Scripture, women engaged in agriculture are portrayed with dignity and respect, emphasizing their vital role in God's creation and the sustenance of His people. Their accounts serve as enduring examples of faithfulness, resilience, and industriousness within the biblical tradition.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ruth 2:8
Then said Boaz to Ruth, Hear you not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 1:6
Look not on me, because I am black, because the sun has looked on me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Economic Challenge to the Church
... as those in urban centers will be engaged in a ... the fact that ignorance of business
principles often led to ... the summer of a man and woman engaged in organizing ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter iii the economic challenge.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... Thus this holy woman, who in her youth had ... of parables bearing reference to agriculture,
gardening, weaving ... yet been cultivated; she was often engaged in spirit ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

Carey's College
... Often have I felt my pride rise while he was engaged in prayer ... The next morning a
neighbour of ours, a very pious woman, came in to congratulate my mother ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter i careys college.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... I saw them engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture, but ... of the year Anna's father
was often with his ... like that, whether as girl, mother, or old, old woman. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... liberty to buy a pie of a woman hawking such ... toward whose work our hands had often
started involuntarily ... proceeded with the writing with which he was engaged. ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

Chapter iv
... The "and" before this word is used, as often (cf. ... a clear instance how "the seed
of the woman had already ... and bare Enoch, and he (Cain) was engaged in building ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

The Life of Sir Thomas Browne.
... and that "man is the whole world, but woman only the ... not skilled in oriental botany;
and are often of more ... that he was something difficult to be engaged in any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/the life of sir thomas.htm

His First Residence in Germany.
... The place which seems in these visits to have engaged JY's ... some present, that after
it was over a woman confessed it ... I have often said in my heart, If the Lord ...
/.../chapter iv his first residence.htm

Chapter iii
... If (4) engaged with (1) in the decisive battle and (1 ... It includes the attraction
that woman experiences for man which ... It often is not but takes a perverted form ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iii.htm

His Journey to South Russia.
... wife, says John Yeardley, is a sweet-spirited woman. ... been happy if they could have
engaged as good ... to Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication ...
/.../chapter xix his journey to.htm