Greek word · G1090

γεωργέω

geōrgeō

to farm

To farm, till or cultivate land. Related to γεωργός (farmer) and γεώργιον (cultivated field).

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

γεωργέω, -ῶ

(γεωργός), [in LXX: 1 Chronicles 27:26 (עָשָׂה מְלֶאכֶת הַשָּׂדֶה), I Esther 4:6, 1Ma.14:8 * ;]

to till the ground: pass., Hebrews 6:7.

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Hebrews 6:7

Range of meaning

To farm, till or cultivate land. Related to γεωργός (farmer) and γεώργιον (cultivated field).

Against the English

KJV 'dressed' is archaic and suggests clothing. BSB 'tended', WEB 'tilled' and ESV/NASB 'cultivated'/'tilled' are clearer.

How it drifted

In 1611 'dress' still meant to prepare or cultivate ground, as when Adam is put in the garden 'to dress it and to keep it' (Gen 2:15 KJV). That sense has mostly faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is the only use of the verb in the NT. Related words: 1 Cor 3:9 'you are God's field' (γεώργιον); John 15:1 'my Father is the farmer' (γεωργός); 2 Tim 2:6; Jas 5:7, where the farmer waits for the early and late rain.

Where it appears

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 6:7 γεωργεῖται, it is tilled,

    For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.

    Here: 'It is farmed/tilled'. This is the only use of the verb in the New Testament. The land has received human work as well as rain.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.