And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

GENESIS 9:20KJV
Know the Bible

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.

Where else these words appear

“Noah” Hebrew H5146 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Genesis 7:9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
  • Genesis 9:8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

“planted” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
  • Jeremiah 12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

“vineyard” Hebrew H3754 · used in 82 verses

  • Exodus 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Isaiah 1:8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

“began” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.