Genesis 1:28: Subdue the Earth

In Genesis 1:28, we read that God commands mankind to subdue the earth and rule over the living. Here’s a typical rendereing of this verse (NIV):

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

Many Jews and Christians understand this verse (Gen 1:28) to mean that mankind is to be a good steward of God’s creation, caring for and building up what God has created. This is a wonderful sentiment and we should all wish that mankind would do more to advance this ethic. However, this understanding would be wrong.

If you want to know what the Bible really means in Genesis 1:28, you should read the article entitled Genesis 1:28: Subdue the Earth but Rule the Living?

Now, go and study