In biblical times, farming was a central aspect of life and a primary means of sustenance and economic activity. The Bible contains numerous references to agricultural practices, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. Farms in the biblical context were not only places of work but also settings for divine teaching and parables.

Agricultural Practices

Farming in biblical times involved a variety of crops and livestock. Common crops included wheat, barley, grapes, olives, figs, and pomegranates. The land of Canaan, promised to the Israelites, was described as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (Deuteronomy 8:8). These crops were staples in the diet and economy of the people.

The Bible also mentions various farming techniques, such as plowing, sowing, and harvesting. Plowing was typically done with oxen, as seen in the account of Elisha, who was "plowing with twelve pairs of oxen" (1 Kings 19:19). Sowing and reaping were critical times in the agricultural calendar, with the harvest being a time of joy and celebration.

Livestock and Shepherding

Livestock farming was another essential component of biblical agriculture. Sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys were common, providing meat, milk, wool, and labor. Shepherding, in particular, held significant cultural and spiritual symbolism. King David, before his anointing, was a shepherd, and the imagery of the shepherd is used throughout Scripture to describe God's care for His people, as in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" .

Farming and the Law

The Mosaic Law included specific regulations regarding farming, emphasizing justice, rest, and provision for the poor. The Sabbath year, or Shemitah, required that the land lie fallow every seventh year, allowing it to rest and rejuvenate (Leviticus 25:4). Additionally, farmers were instructed to leave the edges of their fields unharvested and not to pick up what was dropped, so that the poor and the foreigner could glean (Leviticus 19:9-10).

Parables and Teachings

Jesus frequently used farming imagery in His parables to convey spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) illustrates the different responses to the Word of God, likening them to seeds falling on various types of soil. The Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) uses the imagery of wheat and weeds growing together to describe the coexistence of good and evil until the final judgment.

Spiritual Symbolism

Farming also serves as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the Kingdom of God. Believers are encouraged to "sow righteousness" and "reap the fruit of unfailing love" (Hosea 10:12). The Apostle Paul uses agricultural imagery to describe the process of spiritual sowing and reaping, stating, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return" (Galatians 6:7).

In summary, farms in the Bible are depicted as vital centers of life and labor, rich with spiritual lessons and divine principles. The agricultural practices and laws of ancient Israel reflect God's provision and care, while the parables and teachings of Jesus use farming imagery to reveal deeper truths about faith and the Kingdom of God.68. agros -- a field, the country
... word Definition a field, the country NASB Word Usage country (5), countryside (3),
farm (1), farms (3), field (21), fields (2), piece of land (1), tract of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/68.htm - 6k

The Economic Challenge to the Church
... But the fact that rural population has been leaving the farms and that agricultural
lands have been abandoned by thousands of acres, indicates that urban ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter iii the economic challenge.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... v.4. Yet they still made light of it, having it seems, as we most have, other business
to mind, and therefore went their way, some to their Farms, others to ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... Their countrymen, who had been condemned, by the conditions of the last treaty,
to a life of tranquillity and labor, deserted their farms at the first sound of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Daily Bread
... And he comes to you and says, "Show me America!" And you show him a little of this
country, its mountains and lakes and rivers, its shops and farms and people. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/v daily bread.htm

Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs.
... for the national government to bind itself, and covered by the inhabitants, through
their industry and thrift, with flocks and herds, with farms and villages ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvi conflicts of the.htm

The Waterer Watered
... The careful husbandmen whose farms are close along the sides of the bank, have
large tanks and reservoirs in which they store up the water. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the waterer watered.htm

A Break to Canada
... In Edinburgh and Glasgow they had started to earn their living in the streets. Under
The Army's wing they were now to be placed on Canadian farms.). ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/viii a break to canada.htm

The Death of Saint David.
... they entered it in battle-array, seeking the enemy,"towns were unpeopled, houses
overthrown, monasteries pillaged, corn-fields burnt, farms destroyed, while ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter sixteen the death of.htm

What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ...
... India was in truth a land of millions of peasant proprietors on five-acre farms,
rack-rented or plundered by powerful middlemen, both squeezed or literally ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xii what carey did.htm

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... The people of Israel were driven away from their villages and their farms,
and were compelled to hide in the caves of the mountains. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

Farms (5 Occurrences)
...Farms (5 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Mark 6:36 send them away that they may go to the
farms and villages near here and buy themselves something to eat." (WEY). ...
/f/farms.htm - 7k

Farmer (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who farms. ... 5. (n.) The lord of the field, or
one who farms the lot and cope of the crown. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/farmer.htm - 11k

Far-off (14 Occurrences)
Far-off. Farms, Far-off. Far-scattered . Noah Webster's Dictionary (a ... back.
(YLT). Farms, Far-off. Far-scattered . Reference Bible.
/f/far-off.htm - 10k

Villages (106 Occurrences)
... The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude
away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge ...
/v/villages.htm - 38k

Uninhabited (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:12 Now when the day began to decline, the Twelve came to Him and said, "Send
the people away, that they may go to the villages and farms round about and ...
/u/uninhabited.htm - 8k

Lodge (64 Occurrences)
... The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude
away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge ...
/l/lodge.htm - 29k

Lonely (14 Occurrences)
... The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude
away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge ...
/l/lonely.htm - 10k

Lodging (24 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:12 Now when the day began to decline, the Twelve came to Him and said, "Send
the people away, that they may go to the villages and farms round about and ...
/l/lodging.htm - 14k

Wear (56 Occurrences)
... The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude
away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge ...
/w/wear.htm - 25k

Farm (9 Occurrences)
... passage where agros, has been rendered "farm." In the many other passages where
the same word occurs it is rendered "field" or "piece of ground." Farms such as ...
/f/farm.htm - 11k

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