Husbandman, Husbandry
Husbandman, Husbandry
HUSBANDMAN, HUSBANDRY.In EV [Note: English Version.] the former is, in most cases, synonymous with a tiller of the ground, which RV [Note: Revised Version.] has substituted for it in Zec 13:5in modern English, a farmer. The first farmer mentioned in OT, therefore, is not Noah the husbandman (Gen 9:20), but Cain the tiller of the ground (Gen 4:2). In Joh 15:1, however, the former has the more limited sense of vinedresser: I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] husbandman). So, too, in the parable of the Vineyard (Mat 21:33 ff.).
Husbandry, in the same way, is tillage, farming. Thus of king Uzziah it is said that he loved husbandry (lit. the land in the modern sense, 2Ch 26:10), that is, as the context shows, he loved and fostered agriculture, including viticulture. In 1Co 3:9 husbandry is used by metonymy of the land tilled (cf. RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ): ye are Gods field (Weymouth, The NT in Modern Speech).
A. R. S. Kennedy.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Husbandman, Husbandry
huzband-man, huzband-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: , ‘sh ‘adhamah, literally, man of the soil (Gen 9:20); , ‘ikkar, literally, digger, a farmer (2Ch 26:10; Jer 31:24; Jer 51:23; Amo 5:16; Joe 1:11); , gubh, to dig (2Ki 25:12); , yaghabh, to dig (Jer 52:16); , georgos, cultivator (Mat 21:33; Joh 15:1; Jam 5:7). See AGRICULTURE.
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 Beirt proprietors and farmed in this way. The writer while riding on the plain near ancient Dan, was surprised to overtake an acquaintance from Beirt (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 (Joh 15:1). He sows, cultivates, prunes and expects fruits from His church. In the parable of the Householder (Mat 21:33), the wicked husbandmen were the Jews. The church is referred to as God’s husbandry in 1Co 3:9 (m tilled land).