This concept of dominion entails the stewardship or management of all resources, both earthly and spiritual, as entrusted by God to humanity. Concretely, the term “dominion” signals authority, control, or ruling power that is linked to our divine mandate. Verses about dominion encapsulate our call to manage God’s creation responsibly, our authority over evil forces, and the ultimate dominion of God over the universe.
What Does Dominion Mean in the Bible?
In the biblical context, dominion relates to the power or right of governing and controlling. It is God’s mandate to mankind to rule over the other creations, not for exploitation but for their responsible stewardship. This was explicitly expressed in Genesis, where God commands the first human couple to have dominion over the fish of the sea, birds of the sky, and every living thing. Nevertheless, the Bible implies boundaries in exercising dominion – it should not promote abuse over the environment or other living creatures.
Who Has Dominion According to the Bible?
According to the Bible, humans were initially granted dominion over the rest of the creation. Post-Fall, however, rulership is portrayed as being under the influence of sin. The dominion originally given to humankind is often subjugated by spiritual forces of evil. Despite this, believers are reassured that through faith in Jesus Christ, they are restored and given power to overcome these evil forces. Ultimately, total and absolute dominion should be realized as belonging to God alone, reigns over all things.
How is Dominion Expressed in Our Lives?
The concept of dominion influences our lives in multiple ways. It exhorts individuals to recognize their given authority and responsibility over God’s creation, encouraging environmental protection and sustainable living. Moreover, scripture verses also affirm that followers of Christ have the spiritual authority to resist and overcome mental, emotional, and spiritual issues that tend to rule over their lives. Exchangeably, dominion does not modernize into autocracy over others or over nature. It is about leadership that serves, cherishes, and develops, reflecting the heart of God Himself.
Why is the Concept of Dominion Important?
The principle of dominion is crucial since it has direct bearings on how we respond to God’s founding command to govern and manage the created world. It has implications on how we relate with the environment, recognizing our role as custodians rather than exploiters. Additionally, it pushes us to nurture the spiritual authority we’ve been granted through Christ, to overcome obstacles that impede our relationship with God. The ultimate significance of dominion is realigning with the reality that all authority, in heaven and earth, belongs to the triune God who loves and sustains all creation.
What Scriptures Support the Principle of Dominion?
Various scriptures elucidate the principle of dominion. From Genesis, the mandate of stewardship is clearly issued to humanity. The Psalms celebrate God as the ultimate holder of dominion, whilst the books of the New Testament affirm the authority that believers have in Christ. This authority, however, is not a call to arrogance or power misuse, but a responsibility to exhibit righteous rulership – taking care of creation, exercising spiritual warfare, and recognizing the sovereignty of God.
When is Dominion Misunderstood or Misused?
Dominion is frequently misunderstood or misused when it is taken as a license for absolute power, control, or exploitation. Such wrong interpretations can lead to environmental destruction, animal abuse, or oppressive structures in societies. For instance, where people see themselves as owners of the environment, rather than stewards, they excuse their degrading activities. Similarly, individuals may also misuse biblical authority to exercise control over others unjustly, overlooking the biblical call to servant leadership. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain a balance, recognizing our call to dominion as a call to responsible stewardship and godly power.
Below is the full list of bible verses on dominion (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Dominion
Genesis 1:26
“26 And 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Related Themes: Earth Omnipotence Earth Greatness Creativity
Genesis 1:28
“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.”
Related Themes: Earth Children Stewardship Creativity
Luke 10:19
“19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Related Themes: Power Empowerment Authority Police
Psalm 8:6
“6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:”
Romans 6:14
“14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Related Themes: Grace Deliverance Freedom Trespassing
Ephesians 1:21
“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 Peter 3:18
“18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Genesis 1:26-28
“26 And 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.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.”
Related Themes: Earth Omnipotence Earth Greatness Creativity
1 Peter 5:11
“11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 John 5:19
“19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
Related Themes: Satan Greatness Technology Pride Strangers
Proverbs 3:6
“6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Related Themes: Frustration Self Confidence Trust Fortune Problem Solving
Daniel 7:14
“14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
1 John 3:2
“2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
Related Themes: Holiness Glorification Children Hope Life
Genesis 3:16
“16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Related Themes: Submissiveness Hair Benevolence Equality
Revelation 21:3
“3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Related Themes: Strangers Omnipresence Afterlife Earth Omnipotence
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
Related Themes: Strongholds Discernment Lust Purity
Psalm 72:8
“8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Related Themes: Earth
Genesis 2:15
“15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
Related Themes: Earth Business Stewardship Work Laziness
Romans 6:9
“9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”
Related Themes: Holiness Resurrection
1 Peter 4:10-11
“10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Related Themes: Serving Others Stewardship Volunteering Education
1 Peter 4:11
“11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Related Themes: Strength
Romans 7:1
“1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?”
Related Themes: Repentance Marriage Lust Adultery
1 Kings 4:24
“24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.”
Genesis 9:2
“2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.”
Psalm 145:13
“13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”
Proverbs 12:10
“10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
Revelation 4:7
“7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.”
Jude 1:8
“8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”
Related Themes: Reverence
Acts 17:10-11
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Omnipotence Frustration Lust
Zechariah 9:10
“10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.”
Related Themes: Earth
