Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "dominate" in the Bible is often associated with authority, control, and governance. It is important to understand this term within the context of biblical teachings on leadership, stewardship, and the exercise of power.
Creation MandateThe idea of dominion is first introduced in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:26-28 , God grants humanity dominion over the earth: "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.'"
This passage establishes the foundational principle of human dominion as a stewardship responsibility. Humanity is called to govern the earth wisely and benevolently, reflecting God's own sovereign rule.
Leadership and AuthorityThroughout the Bible, the concept of domination is closely linked to leadership and authority. Leaders are called to exercise their authority in a manner that aligns with God's will. In the New Testament, Jesus redefines leadership by emphasizing servanthood. In
Matthew 20:25-28 , Jesus instructs His disciples: "But Jesus called them aside and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.'"
Here, Jesus contrasts worldly domination with the kingdom principle of servant leadership, where true greatness is found in humility and service to others.
Spiritual WarfareThe theme of domination also appears in the context of spiritual warfare. Believers are called to exercise authority over spiritual forces of evil. In
Ephesians 6:12 , Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
This passage highlights the believer's role in standing firm against spiritual opposition, using the authority granted by Christ to resist and overcome evil.
Warnings Against Misuse of PowerThe Bible also warns against the misuse of power and domination. In
Ezekiel 34:4 , God rebukes the leaders of Israel for their failure to care for the people: "You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty."
This admonition serves as a reminder that authority should not be wielded oppressively or selfishly but should be exercised with compassion and justice.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on domination encompasses a balance of authority, responsibility, and servanthood. It calls for leaders to reflect God's character in their governance, to serve others selflessly, and to engage in spiritual battles with the authority given by Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To exert a controlling influence.
2. (v. i.) To be dominant.
Greek
831. authenteo -- to govern, exercise authority... govern, exercise authority. From a compound of autos and an obsolete hentes (a worker);
to act of oneself, ie (figuratively)
dominate -- usurp authority over.
...2715. katexousiazo -- to exercise authority over
... 2715 (from 2596 , ", according to," intensifying 1850 , "to exercise authority") --
properly, to authority (oppressively); todominate (bring , note the force...
2616. katadunasteuo -- to exercise power over
... exercise rulership") -- properly, powerfully bringing someone (denying them the
higher position or blessing they should enjoy), ie ; todominate (treat harshly...
Strong's Hebrew
7287a. radah -- to have dominion, rule,dominate... 7287, 7287a. radah. 7287b . to have dominion, rule,
dominate.
Transliteration: radah Short Definition: rule. Word Origin a prim.
...7287. radah -- to have dominion, rule,dominate
... 7286, 7287. radah. 7287a . to have dominion, rule,dominate. Transliteration:
radah Phonetic Spelling: (raw-daw') Short Definition: reign....
3532. kebes -- a lamb
... lamb, sheep. From an unused root meaning todominate; a ram (just old enough to
butt) -- lamb, sheep. 3531, 3532. kebes. 3533 . Strong's Numbers.
7980. shalat -- to domineer, be master of
... A primitive root; todominate, ie Govern; by implication, to permit -- (bear, have)
rule, have dominion, give (have) power. 7979, 7980. shalat. 7981 ....
Library
Evil Cannot be Suppressed by the Physical Force of the Government...
... So it has always been from the beginning of the world, and so it is still. THE WICKED
WILL ALWAYSDOMINATE THE GOOD, AND WILL ALWAYS OPPRESS THEM....
Introductory Remarks on the Importance of Orthodoxy
... General ideals used todominate literature. They have been driven out by the cry
of "art for art's sake." General ideals used todominate politics....
The Realization of Selfless Love
... and calm, when your petulances, tempers, and irritabilities are passing away from
you, and the more powerful lusts and prejudices cease todominate and enslave...
Preface
... And it will be seen that in the many instances where the Christian doctrine was
not permitted todominate the life, the dissimilarity of those women from their...
Emancipation --Black and White.
... may even have to do without cotton shirts; but all these evils must be faced, if
the moral law, that no human being can arbitrarilydominate over another...
Cadman -- a New Day for Missions
... the kingdom of God, before we can dismiss the black death of apathy which rests
on so many professedly Christian communities, before we candominate the social...
The Second Division of Ancient Christianity: the Church under the...
... are to be placed the beginnings of the Middle Ages, as the German invaders had long
before 500 established their kingdoms and had begun todominate the affairs...
The Evolution of a Father
... were physiological reasons why this well-mothered class should survive beyond all
others, and, by sheer physiological fitness, henceforthdominate the world....
Method and Organization
... life. They seek todominate the leisure time only, and to produce goodness
by affording no free time for positive wrong-doing. The...
The Older Boys' Conference or Congress
... it a boys' conference. If men maydominate and intimidate the boy, better
settle the matter in an adult group. The officers of the...
Thesaurus
Dominate (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To exert a controlling influence. 2. (vi) To
be dominant. Multi-Version Concordance
Dominate (1 Occurrence).
...Command (442 Occurrences)
... lead. 3. (vt) To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or
vision; todominate by position; to guard; to overlook. 4...
Dominant (1 Occurrence)
Domineered (1 Occurrence)
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... be permitted under it. Thus the Old Testament is disposed of. Of course
what Jesus said willdominate the New. In fact, Jesus is...
Cravings (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Peter 1:14 And, since you delight in obedience, do not shape your lives
by the cravings which used todominate you in the time of your ignorance, (WEY)...
Shape (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:14 And, since you delight in obedience, do not shape your lives by the
cravings which used todominate you in the time of your ignorance, (WEY)....
Philosophy (1 Occurrence)
... During the last two centuries BC, Greek thought spread so widely that it came to
dominate the cultured thought of the world into which Christianity entered...
Delight (213 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Peter 1:14 And, since you delight in obedience, do not shape your lives
by the cravings which used todominate you in the time of your ignorance, (WEY)...
Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... of invention, what manner of men were they who fabricated these narratives and
succeeded in foisting them upon the church so early as todominate its earliest...
Resources
What are the times of the Gentiles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about consumerism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about BDSM? | GotQuestions.orgDominate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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