The term "replenish" in the context of the Bible is often associated with the idea of filling or refilling, particularly in relation to God's creation and His commands to humanity. The word is most notably found in the King James Version of the Bible, where it is used in Genesis 1:28: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it..." (KJV). In the Berean Standard Bible, this verse reads: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it...'" (Genesis 1:28).

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "replenish" is "מָלֵא" (male'), which generally means "to fill" or "to be full." The command given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 to "fill the earth" is a directive to populate the earth, indicating God's intention for humanity to spread across the globe and steward His creation. This command is repeated to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:1: "And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.'" .

The use of "replenish" in these contexts underscores the divine mandate for human beings to participate in God's creative work by populating the earth and exercising dominion over it. This reflects the theological understanding that humanity is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and is entrusted with the responsibility to care for and manage the earth's resources.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of replenishing the earth is tied to the idea of stewardship. Humanity's role is not merely to inhabit the earth but to cultivate and maintain it in a way that honors God's creation. This stewardship is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the balance between utilizing the earth's resources and preserving them for future generations.

The command to "replenish" also carries an eschatological dimension, as it points to the ultimate restoration and renewal of creation. In the prophetic literature, there is a vision of a new heaven and a new earth where God's original intent for creation is fully realized (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1). This future hope encourages believers to live responsibly in the present, anticipating the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

New Testament Considerations

While the specific term "replenish" is not used in the New Testament, the principles underlying the command to fill the earth are echoed in the Great Commission. Jesus instructs His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the physical filling of the earth. The spread of the Gospel and the growth of the Church are seen as a continuation of God's mandate to fill the earth with His presence and glory.

In summary, the biblical concept of "replenish" encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of God's plan for humanity. It calls for a faithful response to God's command to populate and steward the earth, while also participating in the broader mission of spreading His truth and love throughout the world.1. (v. t.) To fill again after having been diminished or emptied; to stock anew; hence, to fill completely; to cause to abound.

2. (v. t.) To finish; to complete; to perfect.

3. (v. i.) To recover former fullness.

3325. mestoo -- to fill
... fill. From mestos; to replenish, ie (by implication) to intoxicate -- fill. see
GREEK mestos. (memestomenoi) -- 1 Occurrence. 3324, 3325. mestoo. 3326 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3325.htm - 6k4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow,
fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set ...
/hebrew/4390.htm - 7k

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... Thou now also look down upon this Thy servant, who is put into the presbytery by
the vote and determination of the whole clergy; and do Thou replenish him with ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

That Man's Transgression did not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity ...
... to blush and hide their nakedness, or that by its means they should have fulfilled
the benediction of God, "Increase and multiply and replenish the earth;" [750 ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 that mans transgression did.htm

Capital Punishment
... Genesis 9:1, 3, 4, 5, 6. "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them,
Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. . . . ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vi capital punishment.htm

But what is This, and what Kind of Mystery? Behold...
... Behold, Thou blessest mankind, O Lord, that they may increase and multiply, and
replenish the earth; dost Thou not thereby give us a hint to understand ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxiv but what is.htm

Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes, Flying Creatures, and not Herbs ...
... Behold, Thou blessest men, O Lord, that they may "be fruitful and multiply, and
replenish the earth;" [1389] in this dost Thou not make a sign unto us that we ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxiv why god has blessed.htm

Of the Conjugal Union as it was Originally Instituted and Blessed ...
... But we, for our part, have no manner of doubt that to increase and multiply and
replenish the earth in virtue of the blessing of God, is a gift of marriage as ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of the conjugal union.htm

"He Hardened his Heart"
... His horses died, but Arabia was near to replenish his stables; the pests annoyed
him, but his servants fended them from him; the blains troubled him, but his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxx he hardened his.htm

Centenary Commemoration
... the work and ministry of a Bishop in Thy Church, Thy servant, to whom the charge
of this Diocese was first committed; and that Thou didst so replenish him with ...
/.../the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/centenary commemoration.htm

The Noachic Covenant
... "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply,
and replenish the earth; and the fear of you and the dread of you shall be ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xi the noachic covenant.htm

Man's Place in the World.
... 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 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study i mans place in.htm

Replenish (3 Occurrences)
...Replenish (3 Occurrences). ... (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Genesis 9:1 God blessed Noah and his
sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. ...
/r/replenish.htm - 7k

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply,
and replenish the earth. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fruitful.htm - 24k

Replastered (2 Occurrences)

/r/replastered.htm - 7k

Replenished (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Replenish. Multi-Version Concordance
Replenished (5 Occurrences). Isaiah 2:6 Therefore thou ...
/r/replenished.htm - 8k

Moveth (18 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/m/moveth.htm - 11k

Multiply (98 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply,
and replenish the earth. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/m/multiply.htm - 37k

Creepeth (17 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/creepeth.htm - 12k

Store (134 Occurrences)
... accumulate; to lay away. 7. (vt) To furnish; to supply; to replenish; esp.,
to stock or furnish against a future time. 8. (vt) To deposit ...
/s/store.htm - 39k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Antiochus
... In order to replenish his exhausted treasury, he attempted to plunder a temple and
both he and his soldiers were slain by the Elymeans. LITERATURE. Polyb. ...
/a/antiochus.htm - 17k

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