How Is Humanity’s Dominion Over Animals Described?

The Bible presents humanity as the pinnacle of God’s creation, given a unique role and responsibility over the rest of the living world. This dominion is first described in Genesis 1:26–28, where God creates humans in His image and entrusts them with authority over the earth and its creatures. Understanding this dominion helps us grasp the balance of authority, stewardship, and responsibility that God intended for humanity.

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1. Dominion as a God-Given Authority

Genesis 1:26 says:

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Key Points:

• Dominion is directly commanded by God, not assumed by humans.

• It is universal, covering all living creatures and the earth itself.

• Being made in God’s image gives humans the capacity for rationality, moral responsibility, and stewardship, unlike other creatures.

This authority is rooted in God’s power, which humans exercise as representatives of the Creator, not as autonomous rulers.

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2. Dominion Implies Stewardship and Care

While “dominion” suggests authority, the biblical context emphasizes responsible stewardship:

• Humans are caretakers, maintaining the balance of creation (Genesis 2:15).

• Dominion involves protection, management, and wise use, not abuse or exploitation.

• The creation mandate links authority with care for ecosystems, animals, and natural resources.

God’s design implies that authority carries ethical responsibility.

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3. Dominion Includes Naming Animals

In Genesis 2:19–20, Adam names the animals:

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field… and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.”

Significance:

• Naming signifies recognition and understanding of each creature’s nature.

• Authority over animals is exercised through knowledge, observation, and classification.

• Humans reflect God’s creative order by giving meaning and identity to creation.

Dominion is thus intellectual and relational, not purely physical.

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4. Dominion as Functional Responsibility

Genesis 1:28 expands the mandate:

“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.”

This indicates:

• Subduing the earth: Humans are to develop and use resources responsibly.

• Filling the earth: Humans populate and maintain ecological balance.

• Managing animal life: Dominion includes domestic animals, wild species, and their habitats.

The language suggests active participation in the stewardship of creation, ensuring it thrives according to God’s plan.

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5. Dominion Is Not Absolute or Exploitative

Although humans have authority, Scripture warns against misuse:

• Later biblical texts, such as Proverbs 12:10, highlight compassion toward animals: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals…”

• Authority is meant to reflect God’s character, which is just, merciful, and sustaining.

True dominion is servant leadership, not tyranny, mirroring God’s care for creation.

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6. Dominion Reflects God’s Image in Humanity

Being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) connects dominion to moral and spiritual responsibility:

• Humans govern creation reflecting God’s order, wisdom, and righteousness.

• Dominion is an expression of God’s creative and sustaining power exercised on His behalf.

• It is relational: humans are accountable to God for how they exercise authority over animals and nature.

This underscores that dominion is both functional and ethical.

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7. Dominion Precedes the Fall

Genesis 1 describes dominion in a perfect, pre-fall context:

• Humans lived in harmony with animals and the earth.

• Authority was exercised responsibly, without corruption, violence, or exploitation.

• The relationship between humans and animals was part of God’s ordered creation plan.

After the fall (Genesis 3), this dominion becomes more challenging, introducing conflict, predation, and struggle, but the original mandate remains God’s ideal for humanity.

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8. Dominion Foreshadows Stewardship and Redemption

The biblical concept of dominion carries forward into:

• Ecological responsibility (Psalm 8:6–8, caring for the earth and animals)

• Ethical leadership (responsible governance over resources and communities)

• Redemption and restoration (Romans 8:19–22 describes creation waiting for redemption alongside humanity)

Dominion is ultimately about co-laboring with God to bring order, sustenance, and flourishing to the earth.

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Conclusion: Dominion as Authority, Stewardship, and Responsibility

In Scripture, humanity’s dominion over animals is:

1. God-given authority – humans rule under God’s command.

2. Stewardship – dominion requires care, protection, and management.

3. Knowledge-based – naming and understanding creatures reflects wisdom.

4. Ethical and moral – compassion and justice guide how authority is exercised.

5. Reflective of God’s image – humans mirror God’s order, creativity, and care.

6. Part of God’s redemptive plan – dominion connects to restoration and flourishing.

Ultimately, humanity’s dominion is not mere domination, but responsible, God-honoring leadership over creation, reflecting His power, wisdom, and goodness.

What was the purpose of light on the first day?