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, following God's profound covenant. This seemingly ordinary act of planting a vineyard by the patriarch of the new world underscores humanity's return to labor and the initial steps in rebuilding civilization. However, it subtly foreshadows the subsequent narrative of human frailty and the immediate consequences of sin, even among the righteous, setting the stage for the family conflict that profoundly impacts the nascent post-diluvian society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 9:20 immediately follows God's establishment of the Noahic Covenant, a universal promise never again to destroy all life by flood, marked by the sign of the rainbow ([Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "God's Covenant with Noah and the Rainbow")). This covenant signifies a new beginning for humanity and creation. The verse then shifts abruptly from the cosmic, divine declaration to a very mundane, human activity. This transition is crucial, as it sets the stage for the next narrative sequence ([Genesis 9:21-27](/genesis/9-21-27 "Noah's Drunkenness and Ham's Sin")), which reveals that despite a new world and a divine covenant, the human heart's propensity for sin remains. The ordinary act of planting a vineyard becomes the catalyst for an extraordinary family crisis, demonstrating the enduring presence of moral failure even in the most righteous figures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, agriculture was the bedrock of civilization and sustenance. The transition from a hunter-gatherer existence to settled agricultural communities marked a significant societal development. Planting a vineyard (viticulture) was a sophisticated form of agriculture, requiring foresight, patience, and knowledge of the land. Wine, the product of vineyards, was a staple beverage, often used in celebrations, religious rituals, and also known for its intoxicating effects. Noah's act of becoming a "husbandman" and planting a vineyard reflects the universal human need to cultivate the earth for survival and prosperity, a direct continuation of the mandate given to Adam in [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Man's Mandate to Tend the Garden"). This act grounds the grand theological narrative of the Flood and Covenant in the practical realities of daily life in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **new beginnings and continuity**, showing humanity's re-establishment on earth after a cataclysmic judgment, yet retaining fundamental aspects of pre-Flood human activity, particularly labor. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **human frailty and the persistence of sin**, even after divine cleansing and covenant. Noah, the righteous man chosen by God, quickly demonstrates the enduring fallen nature of humanity, echoing the immediate post-creation fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity"). Thirdly, it touches upon the **dignity and necessity of labor**, portraying work as a fundamental aspect of human existence and the rebuilding of society, even in a post-Fall world. Finally, the specific act of planting a vineyard foreshadows the **consequences of human choices**, as the fruit of this labor will directly lead to a pivotal moral failing and its subsequent repercussions within Noah's family, a pattern seen throughout the book of Genesis.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **began (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** (H2490) This verb is a primitive root that primarily means "to bore" or "to wound," and by implication, "to dissolve" or "to profane." However, it also carries the sense of "to begin" or "to initiate," often with the nuance of "opening" or "breaking ground." In Genesis 9:20, it signifies Noah's initiation of a new activity. Yet, the secondary meaning of "profane" or "desecrate" subtly foreshadows the subsequent narrative where Noah's actions in the vineyard lead to a profanation of family honor and a moral failing, adding a layer of dramatic irony.
* **husbandman (Hebrew, _ʼîysh ʼădâmâh'_):** (H376 + H127) This phrase literally translates to "man of the ground" or "earth-man." The word _ʼîysh_ (H376) denotes a man as an individual or male person, often used as an adjunct to a more definite term. The word _ʼădâmâh_ (H127) refers to "soil" or "ground," often from its reddish color. Together, they describe Noah's occupation as one who works the land, deeply connecting him to the earth. This echoes Adam's original connection to the soil from which he was formed (_'adamah_) and which he was commanded to tend, highlighting a continuity of human vocation despite the Flood.
* **vineyard (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** (H3754) This noun refers to a "garden" or specifically a "vineyard." It signifies a cultivated plot of land dedicated to growing grapevines. The choice of planting a vineyard, as opposed to simply growing grains, is significant because the product (wine) has a known intoxicating effect, which becomes central to the narrative immediately following this verse. The vineyard, often a symbol of blessing and prosperity in biblical literature, here becomes the setting for a fall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Noah began [to be] an husbandman,"**: This clause establishes Noah's immediate post-Flood activity. The verb "began" (_châlal_) indicates the initiation of a new phase of life, a return to the foundational human task of cultivating the earth. By becoming an "husbandman" (_'ish 'adamah_), Noah embraces his role as the patriarch responsible for re-establishing human society and its sustenance through agriculture, linking him directly to the earth and the pre-Fall mandate given to Adam. This signifies a return to normalcy and productive labor after the unprecedented global catastrophe.
* **"and he planted a vineyard:"**: This second clause specifies the particular agricultural activity Noah undertook. The act of planting a vineyard is deliberate and forward-looking, requiring significant investment of time and effort before yielding fruit. While seemingly innocuous, this specific choice of crop is highly significant. Vineyards produce grapes, which are fermented into wine, a substance that can lead to intoxication. This detail directly sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of Noah's drunkenness and the ensuing family shame, making this seemingly simple act a crucial narrative pivot point.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Noah's seemingly innocent act of planting a vineyard immediately precedes and directly leads to his drunkenness and the subsequent family shame described in the following verses. The seemingly neutral verb "began" (_châlal_) also carries a subtle **double entendre** or **irony**, as it can also mean "to profane" or "to desecrate." While primarily denoting initiation here, its alternative meaning subtly hints at the profanation that will occur within Noah's family due to the vineyard's produce. Furthermore, there is **Symbolism** at play: the vineyard, often a biblical symbol of blessing, prosperity, and even Israel itself, here becomes the setting for a moral failure, highlighting the pervasive nature of sin even in a "new" world and among a righteous individual.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 9:20 serves as a stark reminder that even after cataclysmic divine judgment and the establishment of a new covenant, the fundamental reality of human nature, specifically its fallenness, persists. Noah, the righteous man through whom humanity was preserved, immediately re-engages with the earth, fulfilling a pre-Fall mandate for labor, yet his subsequent actions demonstrate that a new physical environment does not equate to a new moral nature. This highlights the enduring need for vigilance and God's ongoing redemptive work.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Cultural Mandate"): Humanity's enduring mandate to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion." Noah's act of farming is a re-engagement with this original cultural mandate.
* [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Man's Role in Eden"): Adam was placed in the Garden "to work it and keep it." Noah, as the "man of the ground," continues this foundational human vocation.
* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin and Death Through Adam"): This verse underscores the pervasive nature of sin, which entered the world through one man and spread to all, illustrating why even Noah, a righteous man, was still susceptible to sin's effects.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 9:20 offers profound insights for contemporary life. It reminds us that even after significant spiritual milestones or profound divine interventions, life often returns to the mundane, requiring diligent and faithful engagement in our daily work. Noah's immediate return to agriculture underscores the dignity and necessity of honest labor as a God-given design for human flourishing and the rebuilding of society. However, this verse also serves as a crucial cautionary tale: even the most righteous among us are not immune to temptation, error, or the consequences of poor choices. Noah, who walked with God and was saved from the Flood, demonstrates that our fallen nature persists. This calls us to a posture of humility and vigilance, recognizing that seemingly ordinary actions can have far-reaching spiritual and relational consequences. It encourages us to be diligent in our vocations while remaining acutely aware of our inherent human vulnerability and our ongoing need for God's grace and guidance in every aspect of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Noah's immediate return to farming after such a monumental event challenge or affirm your view of daily work and its significance in God's plan?**
* **In what ways does this verse, followed by the subsequent narrative, remind us of the persistence of human frailty even in the lives of those God uses mightily?**
* **What "vineyards" (areas of life, pursuits, or habits) might we be cultivating today that, while seemingly innocent, could potentially lead to unforeseen negative consequences if not approached with wisdom and self-control?**

### 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 [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Cultural Mandate") and [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Man's Role in Eden"). It represents a crucial step in the rebuilding of civilization and a return to normalcy after the global catastrophe. This act underscores the dignity of labor and humanity's role as stewards of creation, while also subtly setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of human frailty that emerges from this very activity.

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

Answer: The Hebrew word *chalal* (H2490) primarily means "to begin" or "to initiate," indicating a new start for Noah. However, it can also carry a secondary, more negative connotation of "to profane" or "to desecrate." While its primary meaning here is neutral, the subtle linguistic nuance adds a layer of dramatic irony, foreshadowing the profanation of honor and the moral lapse that immediately follows Noah's act of planting the vineyard in [Genesis 9:21-27](/genesis/9-21-27 "Noah's Drunkenness and Ham's Sin"). This dual meaning enriches the narrative's depth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 9:20](/genesis/9-20 "Noah Becomes a Husbandman") depicts humanity's post-Flood new beginning through Noah's labor, it also immediately highlights the persistent reality of human sin and frailty. Even after divine judgment and the establishment of a new covenant, the human heart remains fallen, leading to moral failure. This underscores the inadequacy of mere new physical beginnings or even divine covenants to fully redeem humanity from its deep-seated sin nature. The true and ultimate "new beginning" and "new creation" are found not in a renewed earth or human effort, but in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect "man of the ground," the second Adam ([1 Corinthians 15:45-49](/1_corinthians/15-45-49 "The Last Adam")), who perfectly fulfilled God's mandate for humanity. Unlike Noah, whose work in the vineyard led to a fall, Christ's work on the cross brings true restoration and a perfect, unblemished new humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). He is the true vine ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "Jesus, the True Vine")) who brings forth fruit unto eternal life, offering a new covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "A Superior Covenant")) that transforms the heart and overcomes the sin that continued to plague humanity even after the Flood.

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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 28:30

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

Genesis 4:2

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Proverbs 24:30

¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

Genesis 3:18

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

Isaiah 28:24

Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

Isaiah 28:26

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, [and] doth teach him.