In biblical times, the role of a gardener was both practical and symbolic, reflecting the agrarian society in which the Scriptures were written. The concept of a gardener is woven throughout the Bible, from the creation narrative to the teachings of Jesus, illustrating themes of cultivation, care, and growth.

Old Testament Context

The earliest reference to gardening is found in the Book of Genesis, where God Himself is depicted as the first gardener. Genesis 2:8 states, "And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed." This garden, known as the Garden of Eden, was a place of beauty and abundance, symbolizing God's provision and the ideal state of creation. Adam, the first man, was given the responsibility to "work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15), highlighting the human role in stewardship and care for God's creation.

Gardening imagery is also prevalent in the prophetic literature. For instance, Isaiah 58:11 uses the metaphor of a well-watered garden to describe the blessings of the Lord: "The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." This imagery conveys the idea of spiritual nourishment and divine care.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently used agricultural metaphors in His parables and teachings. One of the most notable is the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), where Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a sower who scatters seed on different types of soil. This parable emphasizes the importance of the condition of one's heart in receiving the Word of God and bearing spiritual fruit.

Jesus Himself is likened to a gardener in John 15:1 , where He declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener." This passage underscores the relationship between Jesus, His followers, and God the Father, who tends to the vine, ensuring it bears fruit. The imagery of pruning and growth is used to illustrate the process of spiritual maturation and the necessity of remaining connected to Christ.

Symbolism and Themes

The gardener motif in the Bible is rich with symbolism. It represents God's nurturing and sustaining presence, the call to stewardship, and the process of spiritual growth and transformation. The act of gardening requires patience, diligence, and care, qualities that are mirrored in the spiritual life of a believer.

Furthermore, the resurrection narrative in John 20:15 presents a poignant moment where Mary Magdalene, upon seeing the risen Christ, initially mistakes Him for the gardener. This encounter highlights the theme of new creation and restoration, as Jesus, the "gardener," brings life and hope through His resurrection.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of a gardener serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding God's relationship with His creation and His people. It calls believers to a life of stewardship, growth, and fruitfulness, reflecting the divine care and purpose inherent in the created order.(n.) One who makes and tends a garden; a horticulturist.GARDENER

gar'-d'-n-er (kepouros):

"Gardener" occurs once in the English Versions of the Bible (John 20:15), the translation of kepos and ouros, "warden" or "keeper." It is likely that the man referred to was the watchman or keeper (Arabic natur; Hebrew notser), corresponding to those mentioned in 2 Kings 17:9; 2 Kings 18:8 Job 27:18, etc., and not one who did the manual labor. It is the common practice in Palestine today to set a watchman over a garden during its productive season.

See WATCHMAN.

2780. kepouros -- a gardener
... a gardener. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kepouros Phonetic Spelling:
(kay-poo-ros') Short Definition: a gardener Definition: a gardener ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2780.htm - 6k

289. ampelourgos -- a vinedresser
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ampelourgos Phonetic Spelling:
(am-pel-oor-gos') Short Definition: a vine-dresser Definition: a vine-dresser, gardener ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/289.htm - 6k

3756. Karmi -- two Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Carmi (8). Carmi. From kerem; gardener; Karmi, the name of three
Israelites -- Carmi. see HEBREW kerem. 3755, 3756. Karmi. 3757 . ...
/hebrew/3756.htm - 6k

1599. Ginnethon -- an Israelite priest
... Ginnetho, Ginnethon. Or Ginnthow {ghin-neth-o'}; from ganan; gardener; Ginnethon
or Ginnetho, an Israelite -- Ginnetho, Ginnethon. see HEBREW ganan. ...
/hebrew/1599.htm - 6k

Supposing Him to be the Gardener
... Supposing Him to be the Gardener. A Sermon (No.1699). ... CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan
Tabernacle, Newington. "Supposing him to be the gardener.""John 20:15. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/supposing him to be the.htm

The Third State of Prayer. The Effects Thereof. The Hindrance ...
... what the soul has to do, or rather, to speak more correctly, of what God is doing
within it; for it is He who now takes upon Himself the gardener's work, and ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xvii the third state.htm

The vine and the Branches
... If in this case the old tree were a reasonable being that could co-operate with
the gardener, what would the gardener's language be to it? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter x the vine and.htm

John Chapter xx. 10-29.
... She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, If thou hast borne Him
hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxi john chapter xx.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 6, Where we are Told of the ...
... The gardener intercedes for it, punishment is deferred, that help may be
administered. ... The gardener's filth is the sinner's sorrows. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lx on the words.htm

The Fourth State of Prayer. The Great Dignity of the Soul Raised ...
... In the whole of the prayer already spoken of, and in all the states of it, the gardener
undergoes some labour: though in the later states the labour is ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xviii the fourth state.htm

The Resurrection.
... "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him,"
answered Mary, and turning away, tear-blinded, saw the gardener, as she thought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/miracles of our lord/xi the resurrection.htm

The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and ...
... rather, perchance, by nature very productive, though then waste and neglected, and
stiff and untractable with thorns and wild shrubs; or as a gardener may take ...
/.../argument vii the wonderful skill with.htm

The Glory of Jesus and Mary.
... We know that the skill of the gardener had something to do with their growth and
beauty; we know, moreover, that rain and sunshine, the quality of soil, and ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xvi the glory of.htm

Much Fruit
... The gardener may labor to give his apple tree the digging and manuring, the watering
and the pruning it needs; he can do nothing to produce the apple: "The ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/much fruit.htm

Gardener (4 Occurrences)
... horticulturist. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GARDENER. gar ... season. See WATCHMAN.
Multi-Version Concordance Gardener (4 Occurrences). Luke ...
/g/gardener.htm - 8k

Sir (90 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:8 "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I
have dug round it and manured it. (WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sir.htm - 32k

Taking (445 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:7 And he said to the gardener, See, for three years I have been looking
for fruit from this tree, and I have not had any: let it be cut down; why is it ...
/t/taking.htm - 35k

Gardenhouse

/g/gardenhouse.htm - 6k

Wasted (106 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV). Luke 13:7 So he said to the gardener, "'See, this is the
third year I have come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. ...
/w/wasted.htm - 35k

Weepest (3 Occurrences)
... She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him
hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. ...
/w/weepest.htm - 7k

Thinking (58 Occurrences)
... Who are you looking for?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, "Sir,
if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will ...
/t/thinking.htm - 23k

Dug (45 Occurrences)
... through. (DBY). Luke 13:8 "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this
year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. (WEY). ...
/d/dug.htm - 20k

Manured (1 Occurrence)
... Manured (1 Occurrence). Luke 13:8 "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir,
this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. (WEY). ...
/m/manured.htm - 6k

Manure (4 Occurrences)
... Manure (4 Occurrences). Luke 13:8 "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this
year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. (Root in WEY RSV). ...
/m/manure.htm - 7k

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