The term "cultivate" in the biblical context often refers to the act of preparing and working the land for the purpose of growing crops. It is a concept deeply rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel and carries significant spiritual and metaphorical implications throughout Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 2:15 · "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it."
In this foundational passage, God assigns Adam the task of cultivating the Garden of Eden. This act of cultivation is not merely agricultural but also represents humanity's responsibility to steward God's creation. It signifies a partnership with God in maintaining and nurturing the world He has made.

2. Proverbs 24:30-34 · "I went past the field of a sluggard and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit."
This passage uses the imagery of an uncultivated field to illustrate the consequences of laziness and neglect. The failure to cultivate the land results in disorder and ruin, serving as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral decay that can occur when one neglects their responsibilities.

3. Matthew 13:3-9 · The Parable of the Sower
While the term "cultivate" is not explicitly used, the parable describes different types of soil and their ability to produce a harvest. The good soil, which yields a bountiful crop, represents those who hear the word of God and understand it, suggesting the importance of cultivating one's heart to receive and nurture spiritual truth.

4. Galatians 6:7-9 · "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Here, the principle of sowing and reaping underscores the importance of cultivating a life that aligns with the Spirit. The metaphor of cultivation extends beyond agriculture to encompass moral and spiritual growth, emphasizing perseverance in doing good.

Theological Implications:

Cultivation in the Bible is often associated with diligence, stewardship, and the nurturing of both physical and spiritual life. It reflects the broader biblical theme of human responsibility in God's creation. The act of cultivating is a reminder of the need for intentionality and care in all aspects of life, whether it be tending to the earth, relationships, or one's spiritual journey.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to cultivate their faith through regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and community. Just as a farmer prepares the soil and tends to the crops, Christians are encouraged to actively nurture their relationship with God and others, ensuring that their lives bear fruit in accordance with His will.1. (v. t.) To bestow attention, care, and labor upon, with a view to valuable returns; to till; to fertilize; as, to cultivate soil.

2. (v. t.) To direct special attention to; to devote time and thought to; to foster; to cherish.

3. (v. t.) To seek the society of; to court intimacy with.

4. (v. t.) To improve by labor, care, or study; to impart culture to; to civilize; to refine.

5. (v. t.) To raise or produce by tillage; to care for while growing; as, to cultivate corn or grass.

1090. georgeo -- to till
... to till. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: georgeo Phonetic Spelling:
(gheh-or-gheh'-o) Short Definition: I work the soil, cultivate the earth Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1090.htm - 6k5647. abad -- to work, serve
... root Definition to work, serve NASB Word Usage become slaves (1), been slaves (1),
bondage (2), burdened (2), cultivate (7), cultivated (2), cultivates (1), do ...
/hebrew/5647.htm - 6k

7462b. raah -- probably to associate with
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition probably to associate with NASB Word Usage
associate (1), companion (2), cultivate (1), keeps company (1). 7462a, 7462b. ...
/hebrew/7462b.htm - 5k

Far Best to Cultivate virtue from Boyhood.
... Discourse V."Thallousa. Chapter III."Far Best to Cultivate Virtue from
Boyhood. Therefore, it is becoming that we should kindle ...
/.../chapter iii far best to cultivate.htm

We must Adhere to those who Cultivate Peace, not to those who ...
... Chapter XV."We must adhere to those who cultivate peace, not to those
who merely pretend to do so. Let us cleave, therefore, to ...
/.../chapter xv we must adhere to.htm

We must Adhere to those who Cultivate Peace, not to those who ...
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter XV."We Must Adhere to Those
Who Cultivate Peace, Not to Those Who Merely Pretend to Do So. ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xv we must adhere to.htm

That we Ought not to Give up Intercourse with Our Brethren in ...
... That we ought not to give up intercourse with our brethren in order to seek after
perfection, but should rather constantly cultivate the virtue of patience. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii that we ought.htm

Delivered on the Lord's Day, on that which is Written in the ...
... vineyard. For we cultivate God, and God cultivateth us. [2842] But we do
not so cultivate God as to make Him any better thereby. ...
/.../sermon xxxvii delivered on the.htm

Do's for Public Speakers
... Be uniformly courteous. Prune your sentences. Cultivate mental alertness. Conceal
your method. ... Cultivate sincerity. Cultivate brevity. Cultivate tact. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/dos for public speakers.htm

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... righteous disposition. He also commanded them that they should cultivate
the ground, and pay an appointed tribute to the king. He ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

The Slave's Girdle
... true, because a lowly, measure of myself, and does not always demand from other
people their regard and assistance, that temper is a thing that we can cultivate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the slaves girdle.htm

Careful to Maintain Good Works
... things. All plants we cultivate are small at first. ... 4. Seek to cultivate a spirit
of humble, patient, trustful dependence upon God. Live ...
/.../murray/working for god/xxiii careful to maintain good.htm

Talking in Salesmanship
... Every salesman should cultivate a musical and well-modulated voice as one
of the chief assets in salesmanship. The salesman should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/talking in salesmanship.htm

Cultivate (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To bestow attention, care, and labor upon, with a view to valuable returns;
to till; to fertilize; as, to cultivate soil. ...Cultivate (11 Occurrences). ...
/c/cultivate.htm - 10k

Garden (68 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To lay out or cultivate a garden; to labor in a garden; to practice
horticulture. 4. (vt) To cultivate as a garden. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/g/garden.htm - 38k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... 9. (prep.) To plow and prepare for seed, and to sow, dress, raise crops from,
etc., to cultivate; as, to till the earth, a field, a farm. 10. ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

Cultivated (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Cultivate. Multi-Version Concordance
Cultivated (8 Occurrences). Romans 11:24 For if you ...
/c/cultivated.htm - 8k

Gather (251 Occurrences)
... Gatherer occurs in Amos 7:14 as the translation of bolec, from balac, to cultivate
figs or sycamores, "a gatherer of sycamore fruit," the Revised Version ...
/g/gather.htm - 47k

Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 12:3 For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every
individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of ...
/j/judgement.htm - 26k

Grow (139 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To become attached of fixed; to adhere. 6. (vt) To cause to grow; to cultivate;
to produce; as, to grow a crop; to grow wheat, hops, or tobacco. ...
/g/grow.htm - 34k

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)
... Psalms 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man
to cultivate, that he may bring forth food out of the earth: (See NAS). ...
/v/vegetation.htm - 11k

Voice (651 Occurrences)
... whisper. 3. (n.) The tone or sound emitted by anything. 4. (n.) The faculty
or power of utterance; as, to cultivate the voice. 5 ...
/v/voice.htm - 38k

Union (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to cultivate a spirit of harmony--all of you--and that there be no ...
/u/union.htm - 15k

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