Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4400 Vegetation and food  »  4406 agriculture

The science of cultivation. The task, given to humanity, of cultivating the land is a reflection of God's own care for his creation.

A major activity for humanity

Genesis 2:15 See also Genesis 3:23; Genesis 4:2,12; Genesis 9:20; Genesis 47:19; Deuteronomy 8:7-8; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Chronicles 26:10; Isaiah 37:30

Growth is according to the sovereign will of God

He has established the seasons

Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:17 See also Leviticus 26:4; Jeremiah 5:24

He provides for the growth of the crops

Psalm 65:9 See also Psalm 104:14; Psalm 107:37-38; Psalm 147:8; Ezekiel 34:26-27; Zechariah 8:12; Matthew 6:30; 2 Corinthians 9:10

OT laws for agriculture showed how to co-operate with God

Leviticus 19:19 See also Leviticus 19:23; Leviticus 25:3-4; Deuteronomy 22:10

Harvest festivals were for thanking God for his provision

Exodus 34:22 See also Leviticus 23:10,39-41; Deuteronomy 16:10,13

Cultivation was affected by the fall

Genesis 3:17 See also Genesis 3:18-19; Genesis 4:12; Genesis 5:29; Romans 8:20

Agricultural images of God's action among his people

Isaiah 5:7; Matthew 9:37; John 12:24 See also Isaiah 17:5-6; Isaiah 24:13; Jeremiah 8:20; Jeremiah 50:16; Jeremiah 51:33; Hosea 6:11; Matthew 13:3-8 pp Mark 4:3-8 pp Luke 8:5-8; Matthew 13:18-23 pp Mark 4:13-20 pp Luke 8:11-15; Matthew 13:24-30; Mark 4:26-29; John 4:35-38

See also

1325  God, the Creator
4017  life, animal & plant
4430  crops
4454  gleaning
4464  harvest
4468  horticulture
4498  ploughing
4510  sowing & reaping
4522  threshing
4538  vineyard
4550  winnowing
4970  seasons of year