What is the biblical meaning of dominion?

The concept of dominion is a profound and multi-faceted theme that runs throughout the Bible, touching on the nature of God, humanity's role in creation, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. To understand the biblical meaning of dominion, we must delve into Scripture and explore its theological implications in depth, beginning with the creation narrative and extending through the entire biblical canon.

The term "dominion" first appears in the Bible in the context of the creation account in Genesis. In Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV), we read:

Then 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

In these verses, dominion is presented as a key aspect of humanity's purpose and identity. Created in the image of God, human beings are endowed with the responsibility to exercise dominion over the earth and its creatures. This dominion is not a license for exploitation or tyranny; rather, it is a stewardship that reflects God's own sovereign rule. As image-bearers of God, humans are called to govern creation with wisdom, care, and justice, mirroring the character of the Creator.

The Hebrew word for dominion used in Genesis 1:26-28 is "radah," which conveys the idea of ruling, governing, or having authority over. This concept is further elaborated in Psalm 8:6-8 (ESV), where the psalmist reflects on humanity's God-given authority:

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

Here, dominion is depicted as a divine gift and a profound responsibility. Humanity is entrusted with the care and management of God's creation, a task that requires humility, reverence, and a sense of accountability to the Creator.

The biblical meaning of dominion is further illuminated by examining the nature of God's own rule. Throughout Scripture, God's dominion is characterized by righteousness, love, and justice. For example, in Psalm 145:13 (ESV), we read:

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

God's dominion is eternal and unchanging, marked by His unwavering commitment to justice and mercy. In contrast to human rulers who may abuse their power, God's dominion is always exercised for the good of His creation. This divine model of dominion serves as the standard for human governance, calling us to reflect God's character in our stewardship of the earth.

The New Testament also sheds light on the concept of dominion, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV), the apostle Paul describes Christ's preeminence and authority over all creation:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

In this passage, Christ's dominion is portrayed as both cosmic and redemptive. As the Creator and Sustainer of all things, Jesus holds supreme authority over the universe. Yet His dominion is also manifested in His work of reconciliation, bringing peace and restoration to a broken world through His sacrificial death on the cross. This redemptive aspect of dominion underscores the idea that true authority is exercised for the purpose of healing and restoring creation to its intended harmony.

Moreover, the New Testament emphasizes the role of believers in participating in Christ's dominion. In Romans 5:17 (ESV), Paul writes:

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Through faith in Christ, believers are invited to share in His reign, experiencing the transformative power of His grace and righteousness. This participation in Christ's dominion is not about wielding power for personal gain, but about embodying the values of God's kingdom—justice, mercy, and love—in our interactions with the world.

The concept of dominion also has eschatological dimensions, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for creation. In Revelation 22:5 (ESV), the final vision of the new heavens and new earth includes the promise that:

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

In the consummation of God's kingdom, redeemed humanity will share in the eternal reign of God, reflecting His glory and participating in the harmonious order of the new creation. This eschatological hope reinforces the idea that dominion is ultimately about living in right relationship with God, others, and the created world.

To summarize, the biblical meaning of dominion encompasses several key themes:

1. Stewardship and Responsibility: Humanity is entrusted with the care and management of creation, reflecting God's own wise and just rule.
2. Reflection of God's Character: Dominion is to be exercised in a manner that mirrors God's righteousness, love, and justice.
3. Christ's Redemptive Authority: Jesus embodies the ultimate expression of dominion through His role as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, inviting believers to share in His reign.
4. Eschatological Fulfillment: The ultimate realization of dominion will be in the new creation, where redeemed humanity will reign with God forever.

Understanding dominion in this holistic, biblical sense challenges us to view our role in the world through the lens of God's redemptive purposes. It calls us to exercise authority with humility, to care for creation with reverence, and to live in anticipation of the day when God's kingdom will be fully realized. In doing so, we honor the Creator and fulfill our calling as His image-bearers, participating in the unfolding of His glorious plan for the universe.