“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.”
Context: Genesis 1:28 is part of the creation account found in the book of Genesis, specifically within the first chapter. This verse comes after God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27) and before the end of the sixth day of creation.
God’s Blessing: The verse begins with God’s blessing upon humanity. God’s blessing carries significance and represents His favor, provision, and empowerment. It is an expression of His goodness toward humankind.
Be Fruitful and Multiply: God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” emphasizes the reproductive capacity and the continuation of human life on earth. It is a divine mandate for human beings to procreate and populate the earth. This command highlights the significance of family, the value of children, and the continuation of generations.
Replenish the Earth: The instruction to “replenish the earth” can be understood as a call to fill, restore, or bring abundance to the earth. This indicates that humanity has a role in nurturing and caring for God’s creation, participating in its proper stewardship.
Subdue the Earth: God’s command to “subdue the earth” does not imply destructive domination but rather responsible stewardship and cultivation. It involves harnessing the resources of the earth for the benefit of humanity, while also caring for and preserving the environment. This directive highlights humanity’s role as caretakers and responsible managers of God’s creation.
Dominion over Living Creatures: God grants humanity dominion or authority over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth. This authority is not absolute power, but a responsibility to exercise wise and compassionate stewardship over the animal kingdom.
In summary, Genesis 1:28 conveys God’s blessing upon humanity and provides instructions for their role in creation. It emphasizes the importance of procreation, responsible stewardship, and the cultivation of the earth. This verse lays the foundation for humanity’s relationship with the environment and their responsibility to care for and wisely utilize the resources of God’s creation.
