Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the dominion of man over birds is established as part of God's creation order. This concept is rooted in the early chapters of Genesis, where God grants humanity authority over all living creatures, including the birds of the air.Creation and Dominion The foundational text for understanding man's authority over birds is found in Genesis 1:26-28. In these verses, God declares His intention to create mankind in His own image and grants them dominion over the earth and its creatures: "Then 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.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 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.'" (Genesis 1:26-28) This passage establishes the theological basis for humanity's stewardship over creation, including birds. The dominion granted is not one of exploitation but of responsible stewardship, reflecting God's care and order. Noah and the Birds The narrative of Noah further illustrates man's authority over birds. In Genesis 6-9, God commands Noah to bring pairs of every kind of bird into the ark to preserve them from the flood: "You are to bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, every kind of animal, and every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive." (Genesis 6:19-20) After the flood, Noah releases a raven and a dove to assess the condition of the earth (Genesis 8:6-12). This act demonstrates the continued interaction and authority of man over birds, as Noah uses them to gather information about the receding waters. Sacrificial System and Birds In the Levitical laws, birds are included in the sacrificial system, further indicating man's authority over them. Leviticus 1:14-17 describes the offering of birds as a burnt sacrifice: "If, however, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon. The priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar." (Leviticus 1:14-15) The inclusion of birds in the sacrificial system underscores their role within the broader context of worship and atonement, highlighting the responsibility of man to offer them in accordance with divine instructions. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledges the value of birds while affirming God's care for them, which indirectly reflects man's responsibility. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says: "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26) This teaching emphasizes God's providence and care for all creation, including birds, while reminding humanity of their greater value and responsibility. Conclusion Throughout Scripture, the power over birds given to man is consistently portrayed as part of the divine order. This authority is to be exercised with wisdom and care, reflecting the Creator's intent for harmony and stewardship within His creation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:26And 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 creeps on the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 8:8 Library Why Man is Destitute of Natural Weapons and Covering Thankfulness to God. Whether Adam in the State of Innocence had Mastership Over the ... That if Men had Remained Innocent and Obedient in Paradise, the ... Chapter ix Solomon Search the Scriptures Man's Place in the World. A Whitsun Sermon Man's Chief End Resources What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? | GotQuestions.org What does God want me to do? | GotQuestions.org Birds: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Birds are Hostile to Strange Kinds Birds of Cruel and Rapacious Kings Birds of People of Different Countries Birds of the Devil and his Spirits Birds: (Snaring) Designs of the Wicked Birds: Called: Birds of the Air Birds: Called: Fowls of Heaven Birds: Called: Fowls of the Air Birds: Clean: Offered in Sacrifice Birds: Confinement of, in Cages Alluded To Birds: Created for the Glory of God Birds: Creation of, on the Fifth Creative Day Birds: Differ in Flesh from Beasts and Fishes Birds: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Clean Birds: Have Each Their Peculiar Note or Song Birds: Herb of the Field Given As Food To Birds: Inhabit: Deserted Cities Birds: Instinct of, Inferior to Man's Reason Birds: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Birds: Make Their Nests in Clefts of Rocks Birds: Make Their Nests in Deserted Cities Birds: Make Their Nests in Trees Birds: Make Their Nests: On the Ground Birds: Make Their Nests: Under the Roofs of Houses Birds: Make, and Dwell in Nests Birds: Many Kinds of, Carnivorous Birds: Many Kinds of, Graniverous Birds: Many Kinds of, Migratory Birds: Moses' Law Protected the Mother from Being Taken With the Young Birds: Names Given To, by Adam Birds: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship Birds: Not to be Eaten With Their Young Birds: Often Remove from Places Suffering Calamities Birds: Often Suffered for Man's Sin Birds: Often Worshipped by Idolaters Birds: Power Over Given to Man Birds: Rapid Flight of, Alluded To Birds: Solomon Wrote the History of Birds: Songs of, at the Break of Day Birds: Taken in Snares or Nets Birds: The Blood of, not to be Eaten Birds: Unclean: Not to be Eaten Birds: What Species Were Unclean Related Terms |
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