Genesis 9:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 9:20 mean?

Genesis 9:20 describes how Noah, after the flood, began working the land as a farmer and planted a vineyard. This verse marks a new stage in Noah’s life, showing him taking on the role of cultivating the earth after surviving the flood.

Noah is the main figure here, and the verse simply states his action in starting agriculture, specifically by planting a vineyard. The situation follows the flood, as Noah and his family begin to rebuild life on earth. The verse sets up the events that follow, where Noah’s actions as a farmer will have further consequences in the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 9:20

• "Husbandman" uses two Hebrew words: אִישׁ (ish, "man") and אֲדָמָה (adamah, "ground" or "soil"). Together, these mean "man of the soil," highlighting Noah’s new identity as someone who works the land, not just a general farmer.
• "Planted" is נָטַע (nata‘), which means to put something in the ground to grow. This word often refers to intentional, careful planting, suggesting Noah’s purposeful effort in starting the vineyard.
• "Vineyard" is כֶּרֶם (kerem), meaning a place specifically for growing grapevines. This detail shows that Noah was not just planting crops for food, but was cultivating grapes, which will become important in the next part of the story.

Why Genesis 9:20 matters

• This verse shows a shift in Noah’s role from being a builder and survivor to becoming a cultivator of the earth, connecting him to the broader biblical theme of humans working the land after major events.
• The mention of a vineyard prepares the reader for the story that follows, where the fruit of the vineyard leads to new challenges for Noah and his family.
• Understanding the specific words for "man of the soil" and "vineyard" helps clarify that this is not just about farming in general, but about Noah’s deliberate choice to plant grapes, which carries symbolic and narrative weight in the passage.