Farmer

FARMER (אִכָּר, H438, plowman, husbandman; γεωργός, G1177, soil-worker; KJV husbandman, NEB vinegrower, RSV tenant, Matt 21:33ff.; Mark 12:1ff.; Luke 20:9ff.; NEB gardener, RSV vinedresser, John 15:1). One who tills the soil.

In the OT, ’ikkār (LXX geōrgos) is used generally for one who raises crops in fear of drought (Jer 14:4) and occupationally along with the shepherd (31:24). Other contexts, however, more specifically describe the farmer as a plowman with a team (Jer 51:23) or a worker in the vineyard (Amos 5:16; cf. 2 Chron 26:10).

The term geōrgos occurs generally in the NT for one who grows crops (2 Tim 2:6; James 5:7). In the parable of the wicked tenants (Matt 21:33ff.; Mark 12:1ff.; Luke 20:9ff.) and Christ’s discourse on the true vine, the farmer is a vinegrower. See also Trade; OCCUPATIONS and Professions; Agriculture.