Now NoahNoah is a central figure in the Genesis narrative, known for his righteousness and obedience to God, which led to his selection to build the ark and survive the flood (
Genesis 6:9). His name means "rest" or "comfort," reflecting his role in bringing relief from the curse of the ground (
Genesis 5:29). Post-flood, Noah becomes a patriarchal figure, representing a new beginning for humanity.
a man of the soil
This phrase highlights Noah's occupation and connection to the earth, reminiscent of Adam, the first man, who was also tasked with working the ground (Genesis 2:15). The term "man of the soil" suggests a return to agrarian life after the flood, emphasizing humanity's dependence on the land for sustenance. It also reflects the curse on the ground fromGenesis 3:17-19, which Noah's father Lamech hoped Noah would alleviate.
proceeded to plant a vineyard
The act of planting a vineyard indicates a settled lifestyle and the beginning of agricultural development post-flood. Vineyards were significant in ancient Near Eastern culture, symbolizing prosperity and blessing (Psalm 104:14-15). This action also foreshadows the later narrative of Noah's drunkenness (Genesis 9:21), which serves as a moral lesson on the potential misuse of God's gifts. Vineyards and wine are recurring motifs in Scripture, often associated with joy and celebration (John 2:1-11) but also with judgment and wrath (Isaiah 5:1-7). Noah's vineyard can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the true vine (John 15:1), offering spiritual sustenance and life.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NoahA righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. Known for his obedience and faithfulness, Noah is a central figure in the post-flood account.
2.
VineyardRepresents the cultivation of the earth and the beginning of agricultural practices post-flood. It signifies a return to normalcy and the continuation of human stewardship over creation.
3.
The FloodA cataclysmic event that reshaped the earth and human history. Noah's actions post-flood are significant as they mark the beginning of a new era.
Teaching Points
Stewardship and ResponsibilityNoah's planting of a vineyard demonstrates the importance of stewardship over God's creation. Believers are called to responsibly manage the resources God has entrusted to them.
New BeginningsJust as Noah began anew after the flood, believers are encouraged to embrace new beginnings in their lives, trusting in God's provision and guidance.
Diligence in LaborThe act of planting a vineyard requires patience and hard work. Christians are reminded to be diligent in their endeavors, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Consequences of ActionsLater in
Genesis 9, Noah's vineyard leads to an incident with significant consequences. This serves as a reminder that our actions, even those with good intentions, can have unforeseen outcomes.
Faithfulness in the MundaneNoah's return to farming after the extraordinary events of the flood highlights the importance of faithfulness in everyday tasks, serving God in both the extraordinary and the ordinary.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 9:20?
2.How does Noah's vineyard planting in Genesis 9:20 demonstrate stewardship of creation?
3.What lessons on self-control can we learn from Noah's actions in Genesis 9:20?
4.How does Genesis 9:20 connect to the theme of work in Genesis 2:15?
5.In what ways can we apply Noah's agricultural work to our daily lives?
6.How does Noah's vineyard relate to the blessings and responsibilities in Genesis 9:1?
7.Why did Noah plant a vineyard in Genesis 9:20 after the flood?
8.What is the significance of Noah's actions in Genesis 9:20 for understanding human nature?
9.How does Genesis 9:20 relate to the theme of sin and redemption in the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9?
11.What does the Bible say about alcohol consumption?
12.What is the Christian Perspective on drinking wine?
13.Why is Canaan punished for his father’s wrongdoing (Genesis 9:20–27)?
14.Should communion use wine or grape juice?What Does Genesis 9:20 Mean
Now Noah,“Now Noah” (Genesis 9:20) re-centers the narrative on the same man whom God had just blessed and covenanted with (Genesis 9:1-17).
• Real person, real history—Scripture has just recorded Noah’s obedience in building the ark (Genesis 6:22) and worshiping after the flood (Genesis 8:20).Hebrews 11:7 and2 Peter 2:5 likewise treat him as a literal figure whose faith stands as an example.
• Transitional moment—after the grandeur of worldwide judgment and divine promise, the text turns to ordinary life. Like Abraham moving from altar to tent (Genesis 12:8-9), Noah moves from altar to agriculture.
• Covenant context—the rainbow covenant (Genesis 9:9-17) promises stability for “seed-time and harvest” (Genesis 8:22). Mentioning Noah next affirms that promise by showing the renewed earth ready for cultivation.
…a man of the soil,The phrase highlights vocation as much as identity.
• Connection to Adam—Adam was formed “from the dust of the ground” and commissioned to “work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:7, 15). Noah, likewise called “man of the soil,” echoes that original stewardship.
• Humble labor—Scripture elevates honest work with the land (Proverbs 12:11;1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Noah’s title reminds readers that godliness is lived out in everyday tasks, not only in crisis moments like the flood.
• Post-flood mandate—God’s blessing, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 9:1), presumes tilling, sowing, and harvesting (Genesis 3:19). Noah models obedience by embracing that responsibility.
• Dependence on God—the ground had once been cursed (Genesis 3:17). Although the curse remains in effect (Romans 8:20-22), God’s covenant grace allows productivity again, demonstrated through Noah’s farming role.
proceeded to plant a vineyard.Planting is intentional, patient work, and the text singles out a vineyard for several reasons:
• Sign of stability—vineyards require time to mature (Leviticus 19:23-25). Noah is settling for the long haul, confident in God’s promise that seasons will continue (Genesis 8:22).
• Gift meant for joy—wine later becomes a symbol of blessing (Psalm 104:14-15;Isaiah 25:6). The vineyard anticipates celebration under God’s good hand.
• Potential for misuse—Genesis 9:21 immediately records Noah’s drunkenness. Scripture often places gift and warning side by side (Ephesians 5:18). The verse therefore sets up a moral lesson: what God provides for refreshment can be distorted by sin.
• Foreshadowing of salvation imagery—future passages liken God’s people to a vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) and Christ to the true vine (John 15:1). Noah’s vineyard is the Bible’s first, hinting at themes that will unfold throughout redemption history.
summaryGenesis 9:20 shows Noah stepping from the extraordinary events of the flood into the ordinary, God-honoring work of cultivating the renewed earth. As a literal, historic “man of the soil,” he models faithful vocation under the covenant promise of ongoing seasons. Planting a vineyard points to God’s provision for joy while warning that even good gifts can be misused. The verse reminds believers that covenant life is lived out through diligent labor, trust in God’s faithfulness, and wise stewardship of His blessings.
(20, 21)
Noah began to be an husbandman.--Rather,
Noah, being a husbandman(Heb.,
a man of the adamah)
, began to plant a vineyard.Noah had always been a husbandman: it was the cultivation of the vine, still abundant in Armenia, that was new. Scarcely aware, perhaps, of the intoxicating qualities of the juice which he had allowed to ferment, he drank to excess, and became the first example of the shameful effects of intemperance.
Verse 20. -
And Noah began to be an husbandman. Literally,
a man of the ground.
Vir terror (Vulgate);
ἄνθρωπος γεωργὸς γῆς (LXX.); Chald.,
נְּבַר פָלַח בְּאַרְעָא =
vir co-lens terram;
agriculturae dediturus. Cf.
Joshua 5:4, "a man of war;"
2 Samuel 16:7, "a man of blood;"
Genesis 46:32, "a man of cattle;"
Exodus 4:10, "
a man of words."
And he planted a vineyard. So Murphy, Wordsworth, Kalisch. Keil, Delitzsch, and Lange regard
ish haAdamah, with the art., as in apposition to Noah, and read, "And Noah, the husbandman, began and planted a vineyard,"
i.e.caepit plantare (cf. Gesenius, 'Gram.,' 142, 3; Glass, Sacrae Philologiae, lib. 3. tr. 3. can. 34). Neither interpretation presupposes that husbandry and vine cultivation were now practiced for the first time. That Armenia is a wine-growing country is testified by Xenophon ('Anab.,' 4:4, 9). That the vine was abundantly cultivated in Egypt is evident from representations on the monuments, as well as from Scriptural allusions. The Egyptians say that Osiris, the Greeks that Dionysus, the Romans that Saturn, first taught men the cultivation of the tree and the use of its fruit.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now Noah,נֹ֖חַ(nō·aḥ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5146:Noah -- 'rest', patriarch who survived the flooda manאִ֣ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 582:Man, mankindof the soil,הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127:Ground, landproceededוַיָּ֥חֶל(way·yā·ḥel)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490:To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to playto plantוַיִּטַּ֖ע(way·yiṭ·ṭa‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5193:To strike in, fix, to planta vineyard.כָּֽרֶם׃(kā·rem)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3754:A garden, vineyard
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OT Law: Genesis 9:20 Noah began to be a farmer (Gen. Ge Gn) 
