Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the concept of man having dominion over fish is introduced in the creation account found in the Book of Genesis. This dominion is part of the broader mandate given to humanity to rule over the earth and its creatures. The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear articulation of this divine directive.Creation and Dominion The foundational scripture for understanding man's dominion over fish is Genesis 1:26-28. In these verses, God declares His intention to create humanity in His own image and grants them authority over all living creatures, including the fish of the sea: "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 the natural world, including aquatic life. The dominion granted is not one of exploitation but of responsible governance, reflecting God's own care and order. Noah and the Renewal of Dominion Following the flood, God reaffirms humanity's dominion over the animal kingdom in His covenant with Noah. In Genesis 9:1-3, God reiterates the command to be fruitful and multiply, and He explicitly includes the fish of the sea in the scope of human authority: "Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.'" (Genesis 9:1-3) This passage underscores the continuity of the creation mandate post-flood, emphasizing that the dominion over fish and other creatures is part of God's provision for humanity. Symbolism and Miracles In the New Testament, fish often appear in the context of Jesus' ministry, symbolizing provision and abundance. The miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:4-7 and the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish in Matthew 14:17-21 highlight Jesus' authority over nature and His ability to provide for human needs. Furthermore, Jesus calls His disciples to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), using the imagery of fishing to describe the mission of spreading the Gospel. This metaphorical use of fish signifies the expansion of God's kingdom and the gathering of believers. Conclusion The biblical theme of man having dominion over fish is deeply rooted in the creation narrative and is reaffirmed throughout Scripture. It reflects a divine order where humanity is entrusted with the care and stewardship of the earth's resources, including its aquatic life. This dominion is to be exercised with wisdom and responsibility, mirroring the Creator's own governance. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:26,28And 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 Thankfulness to God. Dominion Over the Creatures. Whether Adam in the State of Innocence had Mastership Over the ... Man's Place in the World. A Community Rests Upon Justice and Good-Will. ... Concerning the Living Soul, Birds, and Fishes (Ver. 24) --The ... That Hymn of David in the Eighth Psalm was Supposed to be Made by ... Of the Constant Falsehood of the Devil, and of the Powers and ... The Government of Nature. Jesus the Bread of Life. Resources Are the miracles in the Bible to be taken literally? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.org Fishes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fishes of Men Ignorant of Future Events Fishes of the Whole Population of Egypt Fishes of Those Ensnared by the Wicked Fishes used As Food by the Egyptians Fishes used As Food by the Jews Fishes: (Bad) of Mere Professors Fishes: Cannot Live Without Water Fishes: Different in Flesh from Beasts Fishes: Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Fishes: Man Given Dominion Over Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Dressed on the Shore Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Immense Draughts of Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Multiplying a Few Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Procuring Tribute Money From Fishes: Mode of Cooking Alluded To Fishes: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship Fishes: Sold Near the Fish Gate at Jerusalem Fishes: Solomon Wrote the History of Fishes: Taken With: Often Suffered for Man's Sin Fishes: The People of Tyre Traded In Related Terms |
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