Genesis 1:28

 Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

a. NLT: Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Amplified Bible: And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Septuagint: And God said, Let us make man according to our image and likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the flying creatures of heaven, and over the cattle and all the earth, and over all the reptiles that creep on the earth. 

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: God Blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the ish of the sea, the bird of the sky, and every living thing that moves on the earth. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

1. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them…”

a. [And] God [Strong: 430 'elohiym el-o-heem' : plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.]

b. blessed [Strong: 1288 barak baw-rak' [Strong: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason):--X abundantly, X altogether, X at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, X greatly, X indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, X still, thank.]

c. them [Strong: 853 'eth ayth apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).]

d. [and] God [Strong: 430 'elohiym el-o-heem' : plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.]

e. said [unto them]  [Strong: 559 'amar aw-mar': a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.]

2. “…Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…”

a. [Be] fruitful [Strong: 6509 parah paw-raw': a primitive root; to bear fruit (literally or figuratively):--bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase.]

b. [and] multiply [Strong: 7235 rabah raw-baw': a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect):--(bring in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake for 7232), be in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), X process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.]

c. [and] replenish [Strong: 4390 male' maw-lay' or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have wholly.]

d. [the] earth [Strong: 776 'erets eh'-rets: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.]

e. [and] subdue [it] [Strong: 3533 kabash kaw-bash': a primitive root; to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate:--bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue, bring into subjection.]

1). The Genesis Record, Henry M. Morris, pp.76, 77: “In addition to the command for procreation (and Genesis 2 makes it plain that this was to be within the frame work of monogamous marriage), God instructed man to “subdue” the earth, and to “have dominion over…every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” These are military terms, first to conquer, and then rule. In context, however, there is no actual conflict suggested, since everything God had made was pronounced “good.” The “cultural mandate” as some have called it, is clearly a very expressive figure of speech for, first, intense study of the earth (with all its intricate processes and complex systems) and, then, utilization of this knowledge for the benefit of the earth’s inhabitants, both animal and human. Here is the primeval commission to man authorizing both science and technology as man’s basic enterprises relative to the earth. “Science” is man’s disciplined study and understanding of the phenomena of this world. “Technology” is the implementation of this knowledge in the effective ordering and development of the earth and its resources, for the greater good of all earth’s inhabitants (including such fields of human service as engineering, agriculture, medicine, and a host of other practical technologies). This two fold commission to conquer and rule, embraces all productive human activities. Science and technology, research and development, theory and application, study and practice, and so forth, are various ways of expressing these two concepts.”

2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 9/10/2010, Henry M. Morris III: “The commission to rule over earth was never withdrawn from mankind by the Creator. That "Dominion Mandate" implies authorization for the following human enterprises: Discovery of truth--science, research, exploration.  Application of truth--agriculture, engineering, medicine, technology, etc. Implementation of truth--commerce, transportation, government, etc.  Interpretation of truth--fine arts, literature, theology.

 Transmission of truth--education, communication, homemaking.”

3). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 9/9/2010 Henry M. Morris III: “Since there were no instructions about the functioning systems of earth, Adam had to first learn about the earth's systems and processes (science) and then organize and utilize the discoveries in productive ways to help others and honor the Creator (technology). The information about those practical inventions and products of technology had to then be accurately disseminated to everyone through business, education, communication, transportation, etc.”

a). An example of the above statements is found in man’s attempt to harness and then utilize earth’s materials to benefit mankind.

 (1) Perhaps you have read one of the many news articles about an amazing new process for making diamonds. The new process uses simple heat to make diamonds out of anything that has carbon in it. Diamonds are made of carbon atoms – that black stuff in soot - which are tightly arranged into the careful rows of a crystal. The result is a clear crystal, harder than anything on earth. Artificial diamonds have long been made using a great deal of heat and pressure. But the new process, using temperatures as low as 250 degrees (F), condenses carbon atoms out of vapor in low pressure. The new process is much cheaper and is able to place a diamond coating on various materials. Long-wearing machine parts can be diamond coated, as can ball bearings, making them permanently lubricated. Watch crystals, coated with diamond to make them scratch resistant, will be marketed by Seiko. Now diamonds can be made cheaply and easily out of most anything. One researcher even made a diamond out of peanut butter, although he reported that the diamonds had a greenish tinge to them because of the nitrogen in peanuts. We have only begun to scratch the surface, so to speak, in learning about the wonderful abilities the Creator built into the material world. We are only beginning to discover the depths of His wisdom. Such discovery is in keeping with His instructions to us to subdue the earth. http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/transcripts/peanut-butter-and-green-diamonds

4). The wisdom and confirmation of the above statements by Henry M. Morris and Henry M. Morris III and the extent of the dominion mandate, that it was to extend into the future is found the following two citations of Scripture from Deuteronomy concerning the blessings of  the inheritance given to the tribes of Israel.

a). Deuteronomy 33:13-16 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

33:14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

33:15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

33:16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

b). Deuteronomy 33:18, 19 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

33:19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

c). The knowledge and technology to partake of the blessings that were in “the deep” and those “that coucheth beneath”, as well as those blessings “of the ancient mountains” and “the precious things of the lasting hills”, were not developed in Moses day. It would be thousands of years until man had the knowledge and technology to “suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.” Mankind is doing that now and it is part of the dominion mandate.

5). The knowledge and technology to partake of the blessings that were in “the deep” and those “that coucheth beneath”, as well as those blessings “of the ancient mountains” and “the precious things of the lasting hills”, were not developed in Moses day. It would be thousands of years until man had the knowledge and technology to “suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.” Mankind is doing that now and it is part of the dominion mandate.

d). What is Seafloor Mining? The ocean hosts a complex combination of physical, chemical, biologic, and geologic processes that sometimes result in commercially viable forms of a wide range of minerals. This is particularly true in areas around hydrothermal vents, where hot, chemical-rich fluids pouring up from beneath the seafloor produce potentially valuable deposits. A few efforts to mine deposits on the seafloor have succeeded, but to date, not many have overcome the technical challenges involved in retrieving tons of raw materials from a few tens to thousands of feet beneath the surface of the ocean. Some successful mining has already occurred in relatively shallow waters. In the 1960s, Marine Diamond Corp. recovered nearly 1 million carats from the coast of Namibia. Today, de Beers obtains a significant portion of its total diamond production from the continental shelf of southern Africa, in water shallower than 300 meters (1,000 feet). Mining operations in deeper waters have led to a very different results: When investors tried about 40 years ago to retrieve potato-sized manganese nodules scattered on the ocean floor, almost half a billion dollars worth of prospecting couldn’t make their efforts profitable. Since then, the mining industry has been hard at work developing specialized dredgers, pumps, crawlers, drills, platforms, cutters and corers, many of them robotic and all designed to work in the harsh conditions of the deep ocean. In addition, increases in the price of many materials such as copper, plus increasing demand from emerging economies is making such ventures more economically feasible. Recent discoveries of rich deposits on the seafloor and advances in technology are generating renewed interest in seafloor mining, including more diamonds, iron sands, cobalt-rich manganese crusts, phosphorite nodules and even those problematic manganese nodules. The rising importance and increasing scarcity of rare earth elements is also making some take a new look at the possibility of refining these materials from seafloor sources. Most attractive of all for the mining industry are the potential riches at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Known for nourishing lush communities of exotic life, the vents also can be treasure troves of high-grade minerals. When the very hot, chemical-rich fluids that spout or seep from the vents meet the cold water of the ocean, dissolved minerals solidify from the fluids and billow into the water or fall onto the seafloor or build up into massive chimney-like structures. These chimneys appear to billow black or white “smoke” depending on the chemical makeup of the fluids. Many sulfide deposits on land likely were formed the same way and were later were raised above sea level during the formation of islands and continents over millions of years. The island of Cyprus, for example, holds 30 massive sulfide deposits, which were a main source of copper for ancient Rome. For a number of reasons, the mining industry’s interest in seafloor massive sulfides is focusing mostly on vent fields in the western South Pacific. Many of the vent fields are located within the exclusive economic zones of small island nations, eliminating the potential complications of mining the seabed that lies under international waters. Many hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of the region’s seafloor have been leased for exploration and mining could begin as early as 2013 off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Why is it important?

Seafloor mining has the potential to help meet demand for many minerals used worldwide and could help bolster the economies of developing nations in one of two ways. The mining could take place in a nation’s own exclusive economic zone, or it could take place on the seafloor under international waters, where the International Seabed Authority dictates that a portion of all mining profits benefit developing nations. However, seafloor mining also has the potential to take a toll on the life in the sea. Anytime the seafloor is disturbed, so too are its fragile ecosystems—though the mining industry maintains that it is using and developing environmentally sensitive techniques, and many ocean habitats often appear to recover from damage. At the same time, the interest in mining is helping scientists study both the oceans’ chemistry and clues about how the planet formed. Biologists are particularly concerned about the potential for mining to disrupt or destroy unique communities of exotic life forms, such as those at hydrothermal vents and seamounts. The result could be the subsea equivalent of replacing an old-growth forest with a field of dandelions. On the other hand, animals similar to those that originally inhabited the vent site could eventually return. Too little research has been conducted to know for sure. The argument for protecting species is the same as that on land—diversity is at the heart of functioning ecosystems; it helps life adapt to changing conditions. No two vents discharge exactly the same mixes of fluids, so no two vents are colonized by exactly the same life forms. Researchers continue to find new vent species just about every time they look for more. What each deep-sea vent ecosystem has in common are conditions that would be incredibly hostile to most other life: extremes of temperature, intense ocean pressure, hot acidic fluids. Yet they foster rich communities, including extraordinary microbes that harness energy from chemicals rather than from sunlight as plants do. These strange life forms may hold clues to how life started on Earth. So little is known about them that if vents are mined, we may never know what species have been lost. Environmental advocates are also concerned about the safety of whole systems planned for recovering the minerals--including boats, barges, and heavy equipment that could accidentally pollute local waters and shorelines with fuels, other industrial chemicals and oxidizing ores. One effort to combat this possibility was led by the industry-led International Marine Minerals Society, which in 2010 implemented a voluntary code for environmental management. http://www.whoi.edu/main/topic/seafloor-mining

3. “…and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

a. [and have] dominion [Strong: 7287 radah raw-daw': a primitive root; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off:--(come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take.]

1). Answers in Genesis: Within the context of the Creation, and then the subsequent fall, one finds it quite moving at the lexical range of râdâh. Adam had dominion and rule over creation and within this reign and rule he had the ability to sustain the good creation through obedience. But equally so, Adam had the power to make the good creation crumble and suffer if he was disobedient to the command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For those who understand the biblical narrative, and what self-imposed trauma soon followed in Adam’s life, the ability to have a dominion, and then to utterly crumble all under his dominion is a sobering reality. It is also a poignant reminder of the position and power handed to man from the Creator at the very beginning. It is from these exalted beginnings in the good creation that the dominion mandate has been fashioned and formed by theologians to demonstrate the importance and place of man.

2). Don Costello: Included in the dominion were the principles of sovereignty and authority. Although these sacred responsibilities became corrupted at the fall, they did not cease. Which is why when we see in human history and today, wicked men rise up to do the most horrible things to their fellow man and God does not jump in and say “OK Time out! Stop. I’m not going to allow you to do these things.” He allows it because it is part of the dominion mandate. It seems that God, because of the true extent of the dominion takes a, seemingly hands off approach even allowing the fall of man and the horrible suffering that occurs as collateral damage. Yes eventually everyone will answer to God for their deeds, but it will not be until the Great White Throne Judgment until true justice will be fully meted out.    

b. [the] fish [Strong: 1710 dagah daw-gaw': feminine of 1709, and meaning the same:--fish.]

c. [of the] sea [Strong: 3220 yam yawm: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south:--sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward).]

d. [and over the] fowl [Strong: 5775 `owph ofe from 5774; a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively:--bird, that flieth, flying, fowl.] [Condensed Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon: flying creatures, fowl, winged insects, birds.]

e. [of the] air [Strong: 8064 shamayim shaw-mah'-yim: dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).]

f. [and over] every [Strong: 3605 kol kole or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever).]

g. living [thing] [Strong: 2416 chay khah'-ee from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.]

h. [that] moveth [Strong: 7430 ramas raw-mas': a primitive root; properly, to glide swiftly, i.e. to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm:--creep, move.]

i. upon [Strong: 5921 `al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

j. [the] earth [Strong: 776 'erets eh'-rets: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.]

1). The extent of the dominion and authority actually included the universe. Man’s mind was created with the ability to rule all of creation, the entire universe.

a). Psalm 8:3-9 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

2).In verse 6 we see an interesting phrase. “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” He previously said in verse 3  that the heavens were “the work of thy fingers”, so we can see that the authority and dominion extends throughout the universe. The dominion he has been given is over the works of God’s hands and God put “all things under his feet”. I want to compare this conferring of dominion and authority to a passage in the New Covenant.

a). Ephesians 1:19-22 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

b). The same phrase used describing the authority and dominion conferred on man at his creation, as is used in the redemption of man by God through Jesus Christ. What is revealed here is what Adam lost was won back by Christ and given back to man. The only way for man to partake of that redemption and to fully implement the dominion mandate in righteousness is to get born again. The Scriptures clearly say concerning Christ’s kingdom in Isaiah 9:7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end”. The kingdom of Christ will extend throughout the universe in all the galaxies.

c). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 9/9/2010 This verse is often called the Dominion Mandate and is repeated and amplified in Genesis 9:1-7. The purpose is clear: accept the responsibility to bring into subjection all of earth's systems and creatures, effectively managing its resources, growing and expanding until the earth is filled with the fruits of that labor. Man's First Job Description: When God made the garden "eastward in Eden" (Genesis 2:8) and placed Adam there, Adam was to "dress/serve and keep/guard" that special and lavishly designed estate (Genesis 2:8-15) in the unique role as initial occupant, but more broadly as God's steward for earth. There were no instructions on how to serve and guard, only the general "orders" from the Owner to the steward. Man's Implied Responsibility: Since there were no instructions about the functioning systems of earth, Adam had to first learn about the earth's systems and processes (science) and then organize and utilize the discoveries in productive ways to help others and honor the Creator (technology). The information about those practical inventions and products of technology had to then be accurately disseminated to everyone through business, education, communication, transportation, etc. And finally, both the information and inventions had to be received so that the divine evaluation ("very good") was detailed in works of music, art, and literature, glorifying and praising God for all He had done in creating and making all things. The ongoing responsibility is still in effect in us "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10`). HMM III

d). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 9/10/2010 The commission to rule over earth was never withdrawn from mankind by the Creator. That "Dominion Mandate" implies authorization for the following human enterprises: Discovery of truth--science, research, exploration. • Application of truth--agriculture, engineering, medicine, technology, etc. • Implementation of truth--commerce, transportation, government, etc. • Interpretation of truth--fine arts, literature, theology • Transmission of truth--education, communication, homemaking. When that authority was first delegated by the Creator, earth was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). However, Adam's failure in his first assignment created an ongoing conflict with mankind's efforts on every front. Now, the "whole creation groaneth" (Romans 8:22) as the very ground from which all things are made (Genesis 3:17-19, 23-24) conflicts with the environment. "Thorns also and thistles" erupt from our efforts to cultivate (Genesis 3:18). Sin and death are the conditions of existence (Romans 5:12), and ignorance of God's ideas, ap art from God's revelation, is rampant (1 Corinthians 2:14). Humanity's drive to serve ourselves, not God or others (Ephesians 2:1-3), and the ability to obey comes only through God's new creation (Ephesians 4:17-24). One day, all these wrongs will be righted with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Until that day, our mandate remains as stewards over earth. HMM III