Genesis 1:28
Genesis 1:28 in Multiple Translations
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
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.
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 birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God gave them his blessing and said to them, Be fertile and have increase, and make the earth full and be masters of it; be rulers over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing moving on the earth.
God blessed them and told them, “Reproduce, increase, and spread throughout the earth and control it; exercise authority over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the earth.”
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Bring forth fruite and multiplie, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the foule of the heauen, and ouer euery beast that moueth vpon the earth.
And God blesseth them, and God saith to them, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over every living thing that is creeping upon the earth.'
God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
And God blessed them, and God said to 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 animal that moveth upon the earth.
And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.
God blessed them, saying, “Produce many children, who will live all over the earth and rule over it. I want them to rule over the fish and the birds and over all creatures that scurry across the ground.”
God was good to them, and he said to them, “You will have lots of kids, and the earth will be full of people. You people will be boss over all the earth. You will be boss over the fish in the sea, and you will be boss over the birds in the sky, and you will be boss over all the animals that live on the land.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 1:28
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 1:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֱלֹהִים֒
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ
אֹתָם֮
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
לָהֶ֜ם
פְּר֥וּ
וּרְב֛וּ
וּמִלְא֥וּ
אֶת־
הָאָ֖רֶץ
וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ
וּרְד֞וּ
בִּדְגַ֤ת
הַיָּם֙
וּבְע֣וֹף
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
וּבְכָל־
חַיָּ֖ה
הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת
עַל־
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
אֱלֹהִים֒
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
God
Noun - masculine plural
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ
way·ḇā·reḵ
H1288
blessed
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
אֹתָם֮
’ō·ṯām
H853
them
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
and
Noun - masculine plural
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
way·yō·mer
H559
said
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
לָהֶ֜ם
lā·hem
to them
Preposition | third person masculine plural
פְּר֥וּ
pə·rū
H6509
Be fruitful
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
וּרְב֛וּ
ū·rə·ḇū
H7235
and multiply
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
וּמִלְא֥וּ
ū·mil·’ū
H4390
and fill
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
אֶת־
’eṯ-
H853
-
Direct object marker
הָאָ֖רֶץ
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
the earth
Article | Noun - feminine singular
וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ
wə·ḵiḇ·šu·hā
H3533
and subdue it
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
וּרְד֞וּ
ū·rə·ḏū
H7287
rule
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
בִּדְגַ֤ת
biḏ·ḡaṯ
H1710
over the fish
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
הַיָּם֙
hay·yām
H3220
of the sea
Article | Noun - masculine singular
וּבְע֣וֹף
ū·ḇə·‘ō·wp̄
H5775
and the birds
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
haš·šā·ma·yim
H8064
of the air
Article | Noun - masculine plural
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
and every
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
חַיָּ֖ה
ḥay·yāh
H2416
creature
Noun - feminine singular
הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת
hā·rō·me·śeṯ
H7430
that crawls
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
עַל־
‘al-
H5921
upon
Preposition
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
the earth
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 1:28
אֱלֹהִים֒
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
"God"
Noun - masculine plural
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2247 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ
way·ḇā·reḵ
H1288
"blessed"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֹתָם֮
’ō·ṯām
H853
"them"
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6751 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
"and"
Noun - masculine plural
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2247 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
way·yō·mer
H559
"said"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָהֶ֜ם
lā·hem
"to them"
Preposition | third person masculine plural
פְּר֥וּ
pə·rū
H6509
"Be fruitful"
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be fruitful or produce something, like a tree bearing fruit. It is used in a literal sense, but also figuratively, like in Genesis where God tells humans to be fruitful and multiply. It emphasizes growth and increase.
Definition: 1) to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off 1a) (Qal) to bear fruit, be fruitful 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to bear fruit 1b2) to make fruitful 1b3) to show fruitfulness, bear fruit Also means: pa.ra (פָּרָא "be fruitful" H6500)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase. See also: Genesis 1:22; Exodus 1:7; Psalms 105:24.
וּרְב֛וּ
ū·rə·ḇū
H7235
"and multiply"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Psalms 16:4.
וּמִלְא֥וּ
ū·mil·’ū
H4390
"and fill"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 29:31; Psalms 10:7.
אֶת־
’eṯ-
H853
"-"
Direct object marker
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6751 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָאָ֖רֶץ
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
"the earth"
Article | Noun - feminine singular
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ
wə·ḵiḇ·šu·hā
H3533
"and subdue it"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
To subdue means to conquer or force someone or something into submission. In the Bible, this word is used to describe the act of dominating or oppressing others, and is often used in the context of war or conflict.
Definition: 1) to subject, subdue, force, keep under, bring into bondage 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bring into bondage, make subservient 1a2) to subdue, force, violate 1a3) to subdue, dominate, tread down 1b) (Niphal) to be subdued 1c) (Piel) to subdue 1d) (Hiphil) to bring into bondage
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue, bring into subjection. See also: Genesis 1:28; 2 Chronicles 28:10; Zechariah 9:15.
וּרְד֞וּ
ū·rə·ḏū
H7287
"rule"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; Nehemiah 9:28; Psalms 49:14.
בִּדְגַ֤ת
biḏ·ḡaṯ
H1710
"over the fish"
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
This Hebrew word also means fish, similar to H1709, and is used to describe fish in the Bible, often in stories about fishing and the sea.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 1:26; Psalms 105:29; Isaiah 50:2.
הַיָּם֙
hay·yām
H3220
"of the sea"
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:8.
וּבְע֣וֹף
ū·ḇə·‘ō·wp̄
H5775
"and the birds"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
haš·šā·ma·yim
H8064
"of the air"
Article | Noun - masculine plural
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
"and every"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4240 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חַיָּ֖ה
ḥay·yāh
H2416
"creature"
Noun - feminine singular
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת
hā·rō·me·śeṯ
H7430
"that crawls"
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
This Hebrew word means to creep or move lightly, often used to describe the movement of animals. It appears in the Bible to describe the action of creeping things, such as insects or reptiles. In KJV translations, it is rendered as 'creep' or 'move'.
Definition: 1) to creep, move lightly, move about, walk on all fours 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to creep, teem (of all creeping things) 1a2) to creep (of animals) 1a3) to move lightly, glide about (of water animals) 1a4) to move about (of all land animals generally)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: creep, move. See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 69:34.
עַל־
‘al-
H5921
"upon"
Preposition
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4492 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
"the earth"
Article | Noun - feminine singular
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Genesis 1:28
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- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 1:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 1:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 1:28
- Sermons on Genesis 1:28
Context — The Sixth Day
26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
29Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. 30And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 9:1 | And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. |
| 2 | Genesis 9:7 | But as for you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out across the earth and multiply upon it.” |
| 3 | Leviticus 26:9 | I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish My covenant with you. |
| 4 | Psalms 128:3–4 | Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD. |
| 5 | Genesis 22:17–18 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” |
| 6 | Genesis 1:22 | Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” |
| 7 | Psalms 127:1–5 | Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved. Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate. |
| 8 | Isaiah 45:18 | For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. |
| 9 | Genesis 17:20 | As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. |
| 10 | Genesis 8:17 | Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.” |
Genesis 1:28 Summary
[God blessed the first humans and told them to have children and take care of the earth, as seen in Genesis 1:28. This means we are responsible for using the earth's resources wisely and caring for the animals and plants that live here, just like Adam was given the task to tend the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:15. We are to be good stewards of the earth, just as God is a good Father to us, as seen in Matthew 6:26, where God cares for the birds of the air. By following God's commands, we can reflect His love and care for the earth and all its creatures.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'subdue' the earth in Genesis 1:28?
To subdue the earth means to bring it under our responsible care and management, as seen in Genesis 1:28, where God gives humanity dominion over the earth and its creatures, similar to the concept in Psalm 8:6-8, where humanity is given charge over God's creation.
How does this verse relate to our role as stewards of the environment?
As stated in Genesis 1:28, our role is not just to exploit the earth's resources, but to care for and manage them wisely, as seen in the example of Adam's responsibility to tend the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:15.
What does it mean to 'be fruitful and multiply' in this context?
Being fruitful and multiplying, as mentioned in Genesis 1:28, refers to the command to have children and fill the earth, establishing families and communities that reflect God's image, as further emphasized in Psalm 127:3-5, where children are seen as a blessing from God.
How does this verse relate to our relationship with animals?
According to Genesis 1:28, we are given authority over the animals, but this also implies a responsibility to care for and protect them, as seen in Proverbs 12:10, where the righteous are said to care for their animals.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can 'subdue' the earth in my daily life, by taking care of the resources God has given me?
- How can I balance the command to 'be fruitful and multiply' with the need to care for the earth and its resources?
- What does it mean to 'rule over' the creatures of the earth, and how can I exercise this authority in a way that honors God?
- In what ways can I reflect God's image by being a responsible steward of the earth and its creatures?
- How can I pass on the values of responsible stewardship and care for creation to the next generation?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them,.... The man and the woman he had made, with all the blessings of nature and Providence; with all the good things of life; with his presence, and with communion with himself in a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 1:28
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
Having blessed them with excellent natures, and heavenly gifts and graces, he further blesseth them with a special and temporal blessing expressed in the following words. Replenish the earth, with inhabitants to be begotten by you. Question. Whether this be a command obliging all men to marriage and procreation? So the Hebrew doctors think. It may be thus resolved: 1. It is a command obliging all men so far as not to suffer the extinction of mankind: thus it did absolutely bind Adam and Eve, as also Noah, and his sons and their wives, after the Flood. 2. It doth not oblige every particular person to marry, as appears both from the example of the Lord Jesus, who lived and died in an unmarried state, and from his commendation of those who made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of God, ; and from St. Paul’ s approbation of virginity, , , , , &c. 3. It is here rather a promise or benediction than a command, as appears both from , where the same words are applied to the brute beasts, who are not subject to a command; and because if this were a command, it would equally oblige every man to exercise dominion over fishes and fowls, &c., which is absurd.
It is therefore a permission rather than a command, though it be expressed in the form of a command, as other permissions frequently are, as .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
Genesis 1:28 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.Ver. 28. Subdue the earth, and have dominion.] Make it habitable by driving out the wild beasts that infest and annoy it. Make it arable also, and useful to yourselves and yours. The creatures are man’ s servants and household stuff. "God hath put all things under his feet," that be may raise himself thereby to God his maker. A wise philosopher could say, that man is the end of all things in a semicircle; that is, all things in the world are made for him, and he is made for God; to know and acknowledge him, to serve and express him, to say to him as David, and that Son of David, Lord, "a body (a soul) hast thou given me; behold I come to do thy will, O God" The very Manichees, that denied God to be the author of the body, fasted on Sundays, and in fasting, exercised a humiliation of the body. The Paternians are not worth speaking of, who held this heresy in the year of Christ 387, that the lower parts of man’ s body were not made by God, but by the devil; and therefore allowing liberty of all wickedness to those parts, they lived most impurely. But if superstitious persons must reckon for it, that punish their bodies without commandment from God, where shall those beasts appear that defile their bodies, and damn their soul? How shall all the creatures, instead of serving them, take up arms for God, and serve against them, yea, rise up in judgment and condemn them, for that when all other things keep their fit and proper places in the frame, and observe their peculiar ends and uses whereunto they were created, men only, as so many Heteroclites and Irregulars, should prove unprofitable, unuseful, nay, hurtful to the whole frame, causing vanity and misery to the poor creature which groans under it, and so defiling the very visible heavens, that they must be purged by the last fire, as those vessels were in the law that held the sin-offering! As for those that are in Christ, they are restored to the privileges of their first creation, as fellowship with God, dominion over the creatures, &c. , as appears by comparing Psalms 8:6 Hebrews 2:6-7, &c., where whatever is spoken of man is applied to Christ, and so is proper to the Church, which is Christ mystical, union being the ground of communion.
Christ is married to his people in faithfulness, and as part of a jointure, he hath taken and bound over the best of the creatures to serve them, and bring them in provision Qui dominari in caetera possit, natus homo est. Alsted. Chron. p. 387.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 1:28
Verse 28. And God blessed them] Marked them as being under his especial protection, and gave them power to propagate and multiply their own kind on the earth. A large volume would be insufficient to contain what we know of the excellence and perfection of man, even in his present degraded fallen state. Both his body and soul are adapted with astonishing wisdom to their residence and occupations; and also the place of their residence, as well as the surrounding objects, in their diversity, colour, and mutual relations, to the mind and body of this lord of the creation. The contrivance, arrangement, action, and re-action of the different parts of the body, show the admirable skill of the wondrous Creator; while the various powers and faculties of the mind, acting on and by the different organs of this body, proclaim the soul's Divine origin, and demonstrate that he who was made in the image and likeness of God, was a transcript of his own excellency, destined to know, love, and dwell with his Maker throughout eternity.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 1:28
28. The Blessing and the Command 28. replenish] The word is the same as that used in Genesis 1:22 of the fishes, “be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters.” and subdue it] A strong word, denoting subjugation to power. Man’s authority over the creatures of the earth confers upon him responsibility for the exercise of his powers. Supremacy over the fishes, the birds, and the beasts, will require courage, forethought, skill, observation, and judgement. The blessing, therefore, of “fruitfulness” is incomplete, until reinforced by the commission so to exercise the faculties as to ensure intellectual growth. In this connexion, compare Ray Lankester (“Rede Lecture, 1905”), “What we call the will or volition of Man … has become a power in nature, an imperium in imperio, which has profoundly modified not only Man’s own history, but that of the whole living world, and the face of the planet on which he lives.”
Sermons on Genesis 1:28
| Sermon | Description | |
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神造男人的目的 - the Purpose of a Man by Paul Washer | In this sermon, Paul begins by explaining that in the first three chapters of the Bible, he discusses everything that God has done for us in Christ. He then transitions to chapter |
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(Basics) 51. Bringing Up Godly Children by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching children to be honest and responsible. He uses the example of a child stealing a pencil and explains how ignoring |
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Worship by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth. He shares a personal experience of surrendering his life to God and the profound impact |
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The New Creation and the New Fall by Bill Randles | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of two different kinds of people in the new world. He emphasizes that while some can thrive in corruption and feed off it, others |
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The Sermon on the Mount - Part 6 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the challenges and struggles faced by believers in the world. He emphasizes the importance of being anointed by the Holy Spirit and refers |
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(Genesis #9) God in Covenant by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God wants to communicate His word to us and desires our comfort and service. The preacher highlights the covenant God made with all cre |
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(Pdf Book) Fullness of God by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes that God's ultimate purpose in saving humanity is to fill us with His fullness, as stated in Ephesians 3:19. He explains that despite our sinful nature, thro |