Your profession will consume much of your time for the rest of your life. Because of this, it is vital to choose a worthwhile job. The question under the microscope is, what is a husbandman and is husbandry beneficial? The husbandry profession is looked down upon, and being a husbandman is not considered valuable.
What is a husbandman?
Truly understanding what a husbandman is, I will explore the modern definition, the STRONGS concordance definition, and the word’s usage within the scriptures.
Dictionary definition
Oxford Languages define a husbandman as:
HUSBANDMAN a person who cultivates the land; a farmer.
Oxford Languages characterises cultivate as follows:
CULTIVATE prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening.
STRONGS Concordance definition
The STRONGS concordance reference for the word husbandman is H127, a Hebrew noun, אֲדָמָה and transliterated as ʼădâmâh with the pronunciation ad-aw-maw’. An example is found in Genesis 9:20-21.
adamah (ad-aw-maw') n-f. 1. soil (from its general redness) [from H119] KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. Root(s): H119
The first STRONGS concordance reference for the word husbandmen is H1461, a Hebrew verb-stem, גּוּב and transliterated as gûwb with the pronunciation goob. An example is found in 2 Kings 25:12.
guwb (goob) v. 1. to dig [a primitive root] KJV: husbandman.
The second STRONGS concordance reference for the word husbandmen is H3009, a Hebrew verb-stem, יָגַב and transliterated as yâgab with the pronunciation yaw-gab’. An example is found in 2 Kings 25:12.
yagab (yaw-gab') v. 1. to dig or plow [a primitive root] KJV: husbandman.
Biblical references
The information presented so far agrees with the following biblical references, Genesis 9:20-21 & James 5:7. Both passages show that husbandmen, indeed, are crop farmers.
20. And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
Genesis 9:20-21 KJV
In addition, the evidence in the Bible suggests that beyond crop farming, despite the translation of the STRONGS concordance, cattle, referring to animals, is also kept by husbandmen.
But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
Zechariah 13:5 KJV
The STRONGS concordance reference for taught me to keep cattle is H7069, a Hebrew verb, קָנָה and transliterated as qânâh with the pronunciation kaw-naw’.
qanah (kaw-naw') v. 1. to erect, i.e. create 2. by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell) 3. (by implication) to own [a primitive root] KJV: attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, X surely, X verily.
This definition shows that a husbandman is an animal farmer and a procurer of animals. As a consequence of knowing how to purchase animals, the ability to sell is inherent. Again, the following verse shows husbandmen as animal farmers having flocks.
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
Jeremiah 31:24 KJV
Is husbandry a good profession?
The punishment of Eve is that her desire will is to her husband. She will compliment him, and her life will have no meaning without him (Genesis 3:16). In this curse, she obtains joy and no escape. In the same way, Adam eats bread through the sweat of his brow and eats the herbs of the field through labour. While this is also his curse, it also brings him joy (Genesis 3:18-19).
Bow down your back unto husbandry, and toil in labours in all manner of husbandry, Offering gifts to the Lord with thanksgiving. For with the first-fruits of the earth will the Lord bless you, even as He blessed all the saints from Abel even until now. For no other portion is given to you than of the fatness of the earth, whose fruits are raised by toil. For our father Jacob blessed me with blessings of the earth and of first-fruits.
The Testament of Issachar 5
The world pulls us away from everything of God, intending for us to break all of his commands. To this end, it takes us away from husbandry—farming. Issachar once again speaks about the future and shows that many will leave God’s commands, including husbandry.
Know ye therefore, my children, that in the last times Your sons will forsake singleness, And will cleave unto insatiable desire; And leaving guilelessness will draw near to malice; And forsaking the commandments of the Lord, They will cleave unto Beliar. And leaving husbandry, They will follow after their own wicked devices, And they shall be dispersed among the Gentiles. And shall serve their enemies.
The Testament of Issachar 6
Conclusion
A husbandman grows crops, procures, rears and sells animals. In addition, husbandry is the approved profession of God and is, overall, the better job and lifestyle choice.
Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which the most High hath ordained.
Ecclesiasticus 7:15 KJV
To go one step further, husbandry is the commandment of God given to Adam. Furthermore, arguments exist for added value for professions supporting husbandry, but ultimately this is our purpose.
Farming is a job of substance which can substance you and your family through:
- eating the food
- selling to procure other necessities or luxuries
- creating clothing
- creating other dishes, ornaments, etc., for consumption or selling
- provide independence
Two of the most significant benefits are simply the feeling of fulfilment from this work (2 Chronicles 26:10) and avoiding all the pollutants introduced through manufacturing.