What did God mean when he told Adam to have dominion in Genesis 1:28?
God meant that Adam was to rule over the creation under God, holding total dominion as God’s second in command. This was delegated authority, not independent rule. When Adam sinned, he lost that dominion, and Satan took it up, becoming the god of this world.
Les explains that Genesis 1:28 is the foundation for understanding the scroll and the mortgage. God blessed Adam and Eve, and though Eve had not yet been created, she was still in Adam. God commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion. Adam was to rule over creation under God with total dominion, as God’s second in command. When Adam sinned, he lost that dominion and dropped the ball; Satan picked it up. From then on Scripture makes clear Satan is the god of this world, and the world lies in the lap of the wicked one.
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.
More Questions
Was the dominion command in Genesis 1:28 given to Eve before she existed as a separate person?
Genesis 1:28's blessing and dominion command was given to both Adam and Eve, even though Eve had not yet been created because she was still in Adam.
Was Eve present when God gave the command in Genesis 1:28?
Even though Eve had not yet been created as a separate person, she was still in Adam when God blessed and addressed them in Genesis 1:28.
What role and authority did God give Adam at creation?
Adam was originally appointed to rule over all creation under God, with total dominion, literally as God's second in command.