What is the meaning of Genesis 1:28? God blessed them “God blessed them” (Genesis 1:28). Right at the start, humanity receives divine favor. • Blessing originates with God; Psalm 128:1-4 pictures families flourishing under His hand. • The blessing is comprehensive, just as in Genesis 1:22 when He blessed sea creatures and birds. • Every good gift flows from the Father (James 1:17), and Ephesians 1:3 reminds believers that spiritual blessings are rooted in Him as well. and said to them The Creator doesn’t remain silent—He speaks clearly. • From the garden (Genesis 2:16-17) to the giving of the Law (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), God addresses His people. • Jesus told the disciples, “I have called you friends” because He disclosed the Father’s will (John 15:15). • Scripture itself is “God-breathed” for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17), showing His ongoing conversation with humanity. Be fruitful This command embraces both biological children and lives that bear righteous fruit. • Children are called “a heritage from the LORD” (Psalm 127:3-5). • Jesus said, “He who abides in Me… bears much fruit” (John 15:5), connecting physical fruitfulness with spiritual. • The Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, and more (Galatians 5:22-23)—shows that productivity goes beyond lineage to character. and multiply “Multiply” points to increase—families, communities, and ultimately worshipers. • After the flood, God repeated, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 9:7). • Israel in Egypt “multiplied greatly” (Exodus 1:7), fulfilling this word even under hardship. • In the early church, “the word of God continued to spread, and the disciples multiplied” (Acts 6:7), showing gospel expansion echoes this original mandate. and fill the earth The human family is to inhabit every corner of the planet. • Isaiah 45:18 says Earth was formed “to be inhabited,” confirming God’s intention. • Paul told Athens that God “determined… the boundaries of their habitations” (Acts 17:26). • Ultimately, the whole earth will be “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14), a spiritual fulfillment reinforced by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). and subdue it Subduing speaks of harnessing creation while respecting its Maker. • Psalm 8:6-8 celebrates humanity’s delegated authority over creation. • Land laws such as the sabbatical year (Leviticus 25:23) remind us that stewardship must honor God’s ownership. • Creation itself longs for liberation from corruption (Romans 8:19-21), hinting that wise, godly management is part of that hope (Colossians 1:16-17). rule over the fish of the sea Dominion includes oceans and all within them. • Psalm 104:25-26 depicts vast seas teeming by God’s design. • Jesus demonstrated lordship when a fish delivered the temple-tax coin (Matthew 17:27). • After the resurrection, the miraculous catch (John 21:6-11) affirmed both human responsibility and divine provision. and the birds of the air Authority extends skyward. • Job invited lessons from the birds (Job 12:7), recognizing their Creator-given place. • Jesus noted that the Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26); ruling never excuses neglect. • God’s care for ravens (Luke 12:24) models the compassionate oversight our dominion should mimic. and every creature that crawls upon the earth Even the smallest land animals fall under human management. • After the flood “the fear and dread” of humanity came on every beast (Genesis 9:2), a reminder of ordered hierarchy. • Christ’s commission to preach “to all creation” (Mark 16:15) hints that redemption touches the whole realm. • John’s vision heard “every creature” praising God (Revelation 5:13), pointing toward restored harmony between people and animals. summary Genesis 1:28 unfolds like a series of building blocks: God blesses, speaks, commands fruitfulness, multiplication, global habitation, responsible subduing, and detailed dominion over every sphere of animal life. Taken plainly, the verse affirms that people are meant to expand across the earth, raise families, manage resources, and oversee all creatures—always under God’s benevolent authority and for His glory. |
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