In biblical times, the term "dresser" is often associated with those who tend to vineyards or orchards, specifically referring to the care and cultivation of plants and trees. The role of a dresser was crucial in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where agriculture was a primary means of sustenance and economic stability.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 2:15 · The concept of dressing and keeping the land is introduced early in the Bible. "The LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it." Here, Adam is given the responsibility to tend to the Garden, highlighting the divine mandate for humans to care for creation.

2. Leviticus 25:3-4 · The Law of Moses includes instructions for the care of the land, which would have been overseen by dressers. "For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops. But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to the LORD. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard." This passage underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the role of dressers in observing these laws.

3. Isaiah 5:1-2 · The imagery of a vineyard and its dresser is used to convey spiritual truths. "I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He expected it to yield good grapes, but it produced only wild ones." The dresser's work is depicted as meticulous and intentional, yet the outcome is dependent on factors beyond mere human effort.

4. Luke 13:6-9 · Jesus uses the parable of the barren fig tree to illustrate the patience and diligence of a dresser. "Then Jesus told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, "Look, for three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore, cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?" "Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down."'" The dresser's role here is one of intercession and hope, seeking to nurture and give the tree another chance to bear fruit.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance:

In the biblical context, dressers were not merely laborers but stewards of God's creation. Their work required knowledge, skill, and patience, reflecting a broader theological theme of stewardship and responsibility. The imagery of dressers and vineyards is frequently used in Scripture to convey spiritual truths about growth, fruitfulness, and divine care.

The role of a dresser also serves as a metaphor for spiritual leadership and discipleship. Just as a dresser tends to plants, spiritual leaders are called to nurture and guide their communities, fostering an environment where spiritual growth can occur. This metaphor extends to the individual believer's life, where one is encouraged to cultivate their spiritual walk with diligence and care, much like a dresser tending to a vineyard.

Dishonest Tenants
... who is to sense far off. II. The next scenes paint the conduct of the dishonest
vine-dressers. We mark the stern, dark picture drawn ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/dishonest tenants.htm

The Heathen Perverted Judgment in the Trial of Christians
... Let our infanticides and the dressers (of our horrible repasts) be brought
out,"ay, and the very dogs which minister to our (incestuous) nuptials; [485] then ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter ii name heathen perverted.htm

The Leafless Tree
... reservation"'none remained save the poorer sort of the people of the land." They
were left by the captain of the guard, "to be vine-dressers and husbandmen ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the leafless tree.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... For many are called, but few are chosen.'"Matthew 22:1-14. This parable,
and the preceding one of the vine-dressers, make a pair. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
... the King.". Rabbi Simeon had vine-dressers in the Mount of the King. He
was minded to let out his vineyard to heathens. R. Chaijah ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 11 the mountainous country.htm

Cause to be Heard in Thy Grace, the Tidings of Thy Salvation: for ...
... the grape. In the field the reapers, wine can make cheerful, in the vineyard
the dressers, bread strengthens in turn. 14. These ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn v cause to be.htm

The End
... away.12. But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be
vine-dressers and husbandmen.'"2 Kings 25:1-12. Eighteen ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end.htm

By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ...
... 2259] Indeed, there is a legend [2260] to the effect, that not less than 600,000
casks of sardines were every week supplied for the fig-dressers of King ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii by the sea.htm

A Young Man who Said, "Send Me"
... He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had many herds
in the lowland and farmers in the plain and vine-dressers in the mountains ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a young man who said.htm

Parable of the Wicked Husbandman. (Matt. , xxi. , 33-44; Mark, xii ...
... Divine messengers, and, finally, towards the Son himself, are set forth more
prominently in the parable of the vineyard and the wicked vine-dressers (Matt., ...
/.../section 256 parable of the.htm

Dressers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dressers (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also
he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for ...
/d/dressers.htm - 6k

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)
Vine-dressers. Vinedressers, Vine-dressers. Vinegar . Multi-Version
Concordance Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/v/vine-dressers.htm - 11k

Vintage-time (3 Occurrences)
... Vintage-time (3 Occurrences). Matthew 21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent
his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; (WEY). ...
/v/vintage-time.htm - 7k

Cruelly (26 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:35 but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly
beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones. (WEY). ...
/c/cruelly.htm - 14k

Owner (56 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 21:40 When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will
he do to those vine-dressers?" (WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/o/owner.htm - 24k

Grapes (74 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the
vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; (WEY). ...
/g/grapes.htm - 31k

Empty-handed (13 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:10 At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give
him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent ...
/e/empty-handed.htm - 10k

Produce (140 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY NAS). Matthew 21:34 When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants
to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes; (See NAS). ...
/p/produce.htm - 37k

Crop (33 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:10 At vintage-time he sent a servant to the vine-dressers, for them to give
him a share of the crop; but the vine-dressers beat him cruelly and sent ...
/c/crop.htm - 17k

Abroad (120 Occurrences)
... the wine-tank, and built a strong lodge. Then he let the place to vine-dressers
and went abroad. (WEY YLT). Mark 13:34 It is like a ...
/a/abroad.htm - 39k

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