Genesis 1 28

Genesis 1:28 kjv

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.

Genesis 1:28 nkjv

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Genesis 1:28 niv

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Genesis 1:28 esv

And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill 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 moves on the earth."

Genesis 1:28 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."

Genesis 1 verses

Genesis 1 28 Meaning

Genesis 1:28 details God's blessing and first divine command to humanity, created in His image. This verse establishes humanity's primary role to be fruitful and multiply, thereby populating the earth. Furthermore, it designates humanity as stewards over the creation, giving them authority to subdue the earth and exercise benevolent dominion over all living creatures. This is often termed the "Cultural Mandate" or "Creation Mandate," defining humanity's purpose as God's representatives on earth.

Genesis 1 28 Context

Genesis 1:28 stands as the climax of the first creation account. Immediately following the creation of humanity in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), this verse unveils God's purpose for His newly created pinnacle. The broader chapter context reveals a God who creates by divine word, systematically bringing order from watery chaos, and culminating in the magnificent act of creating humankind. Historically, this account served as a counter-narrative to Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) creation myths, where humans were often seen as afterthoughts, slave laborers for capricious gods, or accidental byproducts of divine conflict. Genesis 1:28 directly challenges these notions by presenting humanity as intentionally blessed, honored with dignity, and given a vital role as God's co-regents and stewards over His good creation, reflecting His own authority.

Genesis 1 28 Word analysis

• And God blessed them:

  • God (Elohim, אֱלֹהִים): The majestic, plural name for God, emphasizing His sovereignty and power as Creator.
  • Blessed (Barak, בָּרַךְ): Implies conferring divine favor, enabling fertility, prosperity, and success. This blessing empowers humanity to fulfill the subsequent commands. It's an active impartation of divine enablement.
  • Them: Refers to humanity, male and female, as created in Gen 1:27, highlighting their united role. This is the first specific blessing given solely to humans, marking their unique standing.

• and God said unto them:

  • Said (Amar, אָמַר): Emphasizes the direct, authoritative nature of God's communication. It's a divine imperative, not a suggestion. What God speaks, He empowers.

• Be fruitful, and multiply:

  • Be fruitful (Parah, פָּרָה): To bear offspring, to be productive. Focuses on the internal capacity for reproduction.
  • And multiply (Raba, רָבָה): To become numerous, increase in quantity. Focuses on the external result of populating. This double command signifies the imperative for humanity to propagate and spread across the earth.

• and replenish the earth:

  • Replenish (Male, מָלֵא): Often translated as "fill" or "make full." In biblical Hebrew, male means "to fill" or "to be full." The use of "replenish" in older English translations simply meant "to fill again" or "to complete," without the modern connotation of "refill." There is no pre-Adamic race implied; the earth needed to be populated for the first time by humanity. This command signifies the scope of their spreading, to extend over the entire globe.

• and subdue it:

  • Subdue (Kabash, כָּבַשׁ): To bring into subjection, to master, to tread down. It implies taking control, organizing, cultivating, and putting the raw potential of the earth into human service for God's glory. It is about actively managing and developing creation, rather than passive habitation. It does not mean ruthless exploitation, but bringing order to what is wild and chaotic for beneficial purposes.

• and have dominion:

  • Have dominion (Radah, רָדָה): To rule, reign, or govern. This is a regal term, akin to a king's rule. Humanity is given a vice-regency, ruling on behalf of God, reflecting His benevolent authority and care for His creation. This dominion is over living creatures, distinct from the subduing of the earth (its resources, potential).

• over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth:

  • This specifies the comprehensive scope of humanity's dominion over all animal life, both aquatic and terrestrial, reinforcing their unique position above the rest of creation. This is a direct expression of humanity's delegated authority and stewardship.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth": This triumvirate command is humanity's initial directive for expansion and presence across the globe. It underscores the vital role of procreation and population in fulfilling God's purposes for the earth.
  • "and subdue it: and have dominion over...": These phrases define the functional aspect of the divine image. Humanity is to be God's active agent in shaping, ordering, and governing the created world. This is not passive residency but active engagement and responsibility, ensuring the flourishing of both humanity and the creation under God.

Genesis 1 28 Bonus section

The "Cultural Mandate" in Gen 1:28 provides the theological basis for human engagement with the material world and society. It underscores that work is inherently good, not a curse (the curse in Gen 3 affects work, it does not invent it). This verse highlights that human activity, ingenuity, and community are part of God's design for humanity's thriving and His glory. This mandate continues throughout the Bible, influencing the Old Testament law's commands concerning land stewardship, economic justice, and social order, and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's image and dominion. Humanity, in Christ, is called to wisely steward all that God has given, transforming cultures to reflect His kingdom.

Genesis 1 28 Commentary

Genesis 1:28 lays out God's comprehensive vision for humanity immediately after their creation in His image. The initial "blessing" is God's divine empowerment, enabling humans to fulfill the subsequent commands. The triple mandate – to "be fruitful," "multiply," and "fill the earth" – signifies God's intention for human procreation and universal dispersion. This is fundamental to establishing God's image-bearers across the globe. Following this demographic directive, God entrusts humanity with the responsibility to "subdue" and "have dominion" over the earth and its creatures. "Subduing" implies working with, cultivating, managing, and organizing the natural world to realize its potential and serve human flourishing within God's parameters. "Dominion" refers to a kingly rule, but one exercised in representation of God's own wise and benevolent sovereignty, not as a license for destructive exploitation. Together, these commands form the "Cultural Mandate," setting humanity apart as stewards, tasked with active, responsible development and care of creation. This mandate, while affected by the Fall, remains foundational to humanity's purpose and can be seen as foreshadowing Christ's ultimate perfect dominion over creation, restoring the broken order. For example, the diligent pursuit of agriculture, architecture, art, or just a well-ordered home all fall under aspects of subduing and having dominion.