Topical Encyclopedia
Husbandry, in the biblical context, refers to the practice of agriculture, including the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals. This practice is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel and the surrounding regions. The Bible provides numerous references to husbandry, illustrating its significance in the daily life, economy, and spiritual symbolism of the people.
Biblical FoundationsThe concept of husbandry is introduced early in the Scriptures. In
Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it" , establishing the divine mandate for humans to engage in agricultural labor. This stewardship over creation is a recurring theme, emphasizing humanity's responsibility to manage and sustain the earth's resources.
Agricultural PracticesThe Bible provides detailed accounts of various agricultural practices. In
Deuteronomy 22:9, the Israelites are instructed, "Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed, or the entire harvest will be defiled—both the crop you plant and the fruit of your vineyard" . This command reflects the importance of purity and order in agricultural practices, which also carries spiritual implications.
The cycle of sowing and reaping is a common motif, as seen in
Ecclesiastes 3:2, "a time to plant and a time to uproot" . This cycle not only describes the physical process of farming but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths and divine timing.
Animal HusbandryAnimal husbandry is another critical aspect of biblical husbandry. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were often depicted as shepherds and livestock owners.
Genesis 13:2 describes Abram as "very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold" , highlighting the economic importance of animal husbandry.
The care and management of animals are also addressed in the Law.
Proverbs 12:10 states, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty" , underscoring the ethical treatment of animals as a reflection of one's character.
Spiritual SymbolismHusbandry in the Bible often carries spiritual symbolism. Jesus frequently used agricultural metaphors in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Sower (
Matthew 13:3-9), the different types of soil represent the varied responses to the Word of God, illustrating the importance of a receptive heart.
Similarly, in
John 15:1-2, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful" . This imagery of vine and branches emphasizes the necessity of remaining connected to Christ for spiritual growth and productivity.
Economic and Social ImpactHusbandry was central to the economy of ancient Israel. The land's fertility and the success of agricultural endeavors were often seen as blessings from God. In
Deuteronomy 28:11, God promises, "The LORD will make you prosper abundantly—in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land" , linking obedience to divine favor and agricultural prosperity.
The practice of husbandry also played a role in social justice. The Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee, as outlined in
Leviticus 25, provided rest for the land and relief for the poor, reflecting God's concern for both creation and community welfare.
In summary, husbandry in the Bible encompasses a wide range of practices and principles, from the practical aspects of farming and animal care to profound spiritual lessons and societal implications. It serves as a testament to the integral role of agriculture in the biblical world and its enduring significance in understanding God's relationship with humanity and creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Care of domestic affairs; economy; domestic management; thrift.
2. (n.) The business of a husbandman, comprehending the various branches of agriculture; farming.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HUSBANDMAN; HUSBANDRYhuz'-band-man, huz'-band-ri: Husbandman, originally a "householder" or "master of the house," is now limited in its meaning to "farmer" or "tiller of the soil." In this sense it is the correct translation of the various Biblical words: ish 'adahamah, literally, "man of the soil" (Genesis 9:20); 'ikkar, literally, "digger," "a farmer" (2 Chronicles 26:10Jeremiah 31:24;Jeremiah 51:23Amos 5:16Joel 1:11); gubh, "to dig" (2 Kings 25:12); yaghabh, "to dig" (Jeremiah 52:16); georgos, "cultivator" (Matthew 21:33John 15:1James 5:7).
SeeAGRICULTURE.
It is a common practice in Palestine and Syria today for a rich man to own lands in many different parts of the country. He sets farmers over these different tracts who, with the helpers, do the plowing, planting, reaping, etc.; or he lets out his lands to farmers who pay him an annual rental or return to him a certain percentage of the crop. Much of the plain of Esdraelon, for example, was until recently owned by Beirut proprietors and farmed in this way. The writer while riding on the plain near ancient Dan, was surprised to overtake an acquaintance from Beirut (3 days' journey away), who had just dismounted at one of his farms to inspect it and to receive the annual account of his farmer. The pride with which the husbandman pointed out the abundant harvest will not be forgotten. All the difficulties of the owner with his husbandmen described by Jesus are often repeated today.
Figurative: Jesus said "I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman" (John 15:1). He sows, cultivates, prunes and expects fruits from His church. In the parable of the Householder (Matthew 21:33), the wicked husbandmen were the Jews. The church is referred to as "God's husbandry" in1 Corinthians 3:9 (m "tilled land").
James A. Patch
Greek
1091. georgion -- cultivation... Neuter Transliteration: georgion Phonetic Spelling: (gheh-ore'-ghee-on) Short
Definition: a tilled field Definition: a tilled field, cultivation,
husbandry.
...Library
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is...
... Delightful it is to take a view of God'shusbandry, and to feel delight
in His gifts, and the labourers in His field. For in this...
Sanctified for Service.
... XIX. SANCTIFIED FOR SERVICE. "We are labourers together with God; ye are God's
husbandry; ye are God's building.""1 Corinthians 3:9. In this passage St....
The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... Bow down your back untohusbandry, and labour in tillage of the ground in all manner
ofhusbandry, offering gifts unto the Lord with thanksgiving; for with the...
The Tillage of the Poor
... It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligenthusbandry of the man who
had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of...
Human Knowledge Necessary for the Understanding of the Scriptures.
... Now the Lord is figuratively described as the vine, from which, with pains and the
art ofhusbandry, according to the word, the fruit is to be gathered....
Psalm LXVII.
... For most evidently God the Father hath been called a Husbandman. [2647] The Apostle
saith, "God'shusbandry ye are, God's building ye are." [2648] In things...
Whether the Aureole Differs from the Fruit?
... so far as it is used by man: again it is the last thing to which the operation of
nature attains: moreover it is that to whichhusbandry looks forward as the...
Whether Matrimony Still Comes under a Precept?
... this kind, one of which hinders another, such an inclination does not bind each
man by way of precept; else each man would be bound tohusbandry and building...
Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... London.". PLOUGH-HUSBANDRY. Then, practise what I would call the
plough-husbandry of the Book. "Make... SPADE-HUSBANDRY. Then, practise...
On Fruit Bearing.
... The apostle Paul in speaking of Christians said, "Ye are God'shusbandry,"
1:Cor.3:9. If you will examine the Greek text you will find that a more proper...
Thesaurus
Husbandry (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HUSBANDMAN;
HUSBANDRY.
... The church is referred to
as "God's
husbandry" in 1 Corinthians 3:9 (m "tilled land"). James A. Patch.
...Husbandmen (21 Occurrences)
... for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also,
and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he lovedhusbandry....
Carmel (33 Occurrences)
... Evidences of the ancienthusbandry which made it famous are found in the cisterns,
and the oil and wine presses cut in the surface of the rock....
Husbandman (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HUSBANDMAN;HUSBANDRY.... The church is referred to
as "God'shusbandry" in 1 Corinthians 3:9 (m "tilled land"). James A. Patch....
Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)
... for he had many cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also,
and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he lovedhusbandry....
Labourers (11 Occurrences)
... WEY). 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are
God'shusbandry, ye are God's building. (KJV). Philippians...
Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are laborers together with
God: ye are God'shusbandry, ye are God's building. (WBS)....
Wilderness (304 Occurrences)
... Otherwise it is in contrast with the symbolic title in Isaiah 22:1. Jerusalem is
the "valley of vision," rich in spiritualhusbandry; whereas Babylon, the...
Fellow-workmen (5 Occurrences)
... Jesus, (DBY YLT). 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow-workmen; ye are
God'shusbandry, God's building. (DBY YLT). 2 Corinthians...
Fellow-workers (6 Occurrences)
... Christ Jesus, (ASV). 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow-workers: ye
are God'shusbandry, God's building. (ASV). Philippians 4...
Resources
What is a husbandman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHusbandry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
