Topical Bible: Women: Worked in Fields

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, women played a significant role in the agricultural labor that sustained their families and communities. The Bible provides several instances that highlight the involvement of women in fieldwork, reflecting their industrious nature and essential contributions to the household economy.

Ruth: A Model of Diligence and Devotion

One of the most notable examples of a woman working in the fields is Ruth, a Moabite widow who demonstrated remarkable diligence and loyalty. After the death of her husband, Ruth chose to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem. To provide for them, Ruth gleaned in the fields during the barley harvest. The Book of Ruth describes her efforts: "So Ruth went out and entered a field and began to glean after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech" (Ruth 2:3). Ruth's work ethic and humility earned her favor in the eyes of Boaz, ultimately leading to her becoming part of the lineage of King David and, by extension, Jesus Christ.

The Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 provides a portrait of the virtuous woman, who is depicted as industrious and resourceful. Among her many activities, she is involved in agricultural pursuits: "She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard" (Proverbs 31:16). This passage illustrates her acumen in managing resources and contributing to the prosperity of her household. Her work in the fields is part of a broader depiction of her as a capable and enterprising woman.

Women in the Parables of Jesus

Jesus' parables often reflect the everyday life of His audience, including the role of women in agricultural settings. In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus describes a scenario familiar to His listeners: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field" (Matthew 13:24). While the parable itself does not explicitly mention women, the context of first-century Palestine suggests that women would have been involved in the sowing and harvesting processes, as they were integral to the agricultural workforce.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the division of labor was often dictated by necessity rather than strict gender roles. Women, alongside men, participated in the labor-intensive tasks of planting, harvesting, and processing crops. This involvement was crucial, especially during peak agricultural seasons. The biblical narrative acknowledges and honors the contributions of women in these roles, recognizing their hard work and dedication.

Conclusion

The Bible presents women as active participants in the agricultural life of their communities. Through the examples of Ruth, the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, and the cultural context of Jesus' parables, we see that women were not only involved in fieldwork but were also esteemed for their contributions. Their labor was vital to the sustenance and economic stability of their families, reflecting the broader biblical theme of the dignity and value of work.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 27:11
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will show them no favor.
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Ezekiel 26:6,8
And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
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Library

Ruth and Naomi.
... He had a large farm and many people, both men and women, worked in his fields, and
as it was about the beginning of the barley harvest when the two women came ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... So the little party halted, and one of the young women, weeping bitterly, kissed
her ... So each day Ruth went back and worked in the harvest fields, and each ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

Ruth the Gleaner.
... telling her to keep close to his women, where no ... given Ruth leave to glean in his
fields during the ... followed close upon the barley harvest, she worked for many ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/ruth the gleaner.htm

The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... for years added new acres to the fields, as well ... who dared to have a company of neighbor
women without the ... circuits, preached well, prayed well and worked well ...
/.../the heroic women of early indiana methodism/the heroic women of early.htm

The Boyhood of Jesus
... Amongst these fields there is a fountain, where the women of ... [Illustration: Jewish
women grinding corn.]. ... with plane, hammer, glue, and saw, and worked away in ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter iii the boyhood of.htm

God's Love Even for Sinners
... Now the elder son was out in the fields, and as ... answered, 'See all these many years
I have worked for you ... who has wasted your money with wicked women, you kill ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/gods love even for sinners.htm

'the Angel Adjutant'
... working amongst the masses just as she worked, actuated by ... for Kate, and later in
life few women could get ... count; but here and there upon the fields where she ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/x the angel adjutant.htm

The Continuation of the Story
... limit of her strength, and often beyond it, faithfully worked in the ... been beaten
by the robbers, and terrified, the two women crept to the fields and hid ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter iv the continuation of.htm

Thessalonica and Berea
... preference of great centres of population as fields of work ... not result in a similar
accession of women of 'honourable ... 1 Thessalonians 2:9, he had worked at his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/thessalonica and berea.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... there, the whole town was interested, and the women said, "Is ... Naomi, "Let me now
go into the fields and pick ... the reapers.' So she came and has worked all the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm