Genesis 9:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Noah {H5146} began {H2490} to be an husbandman {H376}{H127}, and he planted {H5193} a vineyard {H3754}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Noach, a farmer, was the first to plant a vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 9:20 marks Noah's post-Flood re-engagement with mundane life, specifically agriculture. After God's covenant, Noah, the patriarch of the new world, plants a vineyard. This seemingly ordinary act underscores humanity's return to labor and the rebuilding of civilization, yet it subtly foreshadows the subsequent narrative of human frailty and the consequences of sin, even among the righteous, setting the stage for the family conflict that immediately follows.

### CONTEXT
Following the cataclysmic global flood, Noah, his family, and the animals emerged from the ark onto a new, cleansed earth. God had just established a solemn [covenant with Noah and all living creatures](/genesis/9-9 "God's Covenant with Noah") promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. This verse shows Noah, the patriarch of the post-flood world, resuming a fundamental human activity: agriculture. It sets the stage for the events that immediately follow, which reveal human frailty even after divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 9:20 describes Noah's immediate return to the rhythms of ordinary life after the extraordinary events of the Great Flood and God's covenant. This verse, "And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard," reveals several significant aspects:

* **Return to Labor and Normalcy:** After the cataclysmic divine judgment and the establishment of God's covenant, Noah re-engages with the ordinary rhythms of human life and labor. This act underscores humanity's enduring role as [stewards of the earth](/genesis/2-15 "Man's Mandate to Tend the Garden"), a mandate given even before the Fall. It signifies a return to the foundational human task of cultivating the land for sustenance and the rebuilding of civilization.
* **The "Husbandman" (Hebrew: _'ish 'adamah_):** The term "husbandman" translates from the Hebrew _'ish 'adamah_, literally "man of the ground" or "earth-man." This phrase directly links Noah to the soil, echoing Adam's original connection to the [Garden of Eden](/genesis/2-8 "The Garden of Eden"). It emphasizes Noah's role as the patriarch initiating the post-Flood re-establishment of human society rooted in agricultural sustenance.
* **Planting a Vineyard:** The specific act of planting a vineyard highlights the importance of agriculture as a primary means of providing food and drink in the ancient world. This act, while seemingly mundane, carries significant symbolic weight, as the fruit of the vine will soon become central to Noah's subsequent actions and the ensuing family conflict.
* **The Verb "Began" (Hebrew: _chalal_):** The Hebrew verb _chalal_ (began) can simply denote initiation. However, in other contexts, it can carry a connotation of profaning or desecrating. While it primarily signifies a new beginning here, its potential secondary meaning subtly hints at the negative consequences that would soon follow Noah's vineyard work, foreshadowing the events of [Genesis 9:21-27](/genesis/9-21 "Noah's Drunkenness and Ham's Sin"). This linguistic nuance adds a layer of dramatic irony to the seemingly innocent act of planting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Humanity's Enduring Mandate:** Even after cataclysmic judgment and a new beginning, humanity's fundamental role as cultivators and stewards of creation ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Cultural Mandate"); [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Man's Role in Eden")) remains. Noah's immediate return to work affirms the inherent value and necessity of honest labor as a part of God's design for human flourishing.
* **Post-Fall Human Frailty:** Despite being a righteous man chosen by God for salvation, Noah's actions immediately following this verse demonstrate that even the redeemed remain susceptible to sin and its consequences, highlighting the pervasive nature of the fallen human condition. The new beginning does not eradicate the sin nature.
* **New Beginnings and Continuity:** The verse marks a new beginning for humanity post-Flood, yet it also shows continuity with pre-Flood activities and challenges, particularly the ongoing struggle with sin and the need for vigilance.
* **The Cycle of Blessing and Fall:** This passage initiates a pattern seen throughout Scripture where a period of divine blessing and covenant is quickly followed by human failure, demonstrating the need for a more profound and lasting redemption.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 9:20 serves as a powerful reminder that even after profound spiritual experiences or divine interventions, daily life often involves diligent work and cultivation. It underscores the dignity and necessity of honest labor in God's design for humanity. Furthermore, this verse is a crucial reminder of human vulnerability; even a righteous man like Noah, who walked with God and was saved from the flood, was capable of error. This encourages us to be diligent in our work but also to remain vigilant, understanding that our actions, even seemingly ordinary ones like planting a vineyard, can have significant consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us.

### FAQ
**Why is Noah's return to farming significant after the Flood?**

Answer: Noah's return to farming signifies humanity's re-engagement with the foundational task of cultivating the earth, a mandate given by God in Eden. It represents a return to normalcy and the rebuilding of civilization after the global catastrophe, while also subtly setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of human frailty.

**Does the word "began" in this verse have a negative connotation?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *chalal* can simply mean "to begin" or "to initiate." However, in some contexts, it can also carry a sense of profaning or desecrating. While it primarily denotes a new beginning here, its potential secondary meaning subtly foreshadows the negative consequences that follow Noah's act of planting the vineyard, adding a layer of dramatic irony to the narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 9:20](/genesis/9-20 "Noah Becomes a Husbandman") depicts humanity's post-Flood new beginning through Noah, it also immediately highlights the persistent reality of human sin and frailty, even in a "new creation." This underscores the inadequacy of mere new beginnings or divine covenants to fully redeem humanity from its fallen state. The true and ultimate "new beginning" is found in Christ, who not only provides a new covenant but also a new heart and a new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), overcoming the sin that continued to plague humanity even after the Flood. Unlike Noah, whose work led to a fall, Christ's work on the cross brings true restoration and a perfect, unblemished new humanity, fulfilling the promise of a righteous "man of the ground" who perfectly tends God's creation and brings forth true life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.