Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "subdues" in the Bible is closely associated with the exercise of dominion, control, and bringing under authority. It is a theme that appears in various contexts, from God's command to humanity to subdue the earth, to the subduing of nations and spiritual forces.
Creation MandateThe first mention of subduing is found in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:28 , God commands Adam and Eve, "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." Here, subduing is part of the divine mandate given to humanity, indicating stewardship and responsible management of the earth and its resources. This command reflects humanity's role as God's representatives, exercising authority over creation in a manner that honors Him.
Conquest and WarfareThe theme of subduing is also prevalent in the context of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. In
Numbers 32:22 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "Then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of your obligation to the LORD and to Israel." The subduing of the land was a divine directive, with God promising to go before Israel to ensure their victory over the inhabitants of Canaan. This subduing was not merely a military conquest but a fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Divine SovereigntyThroughout the Psalms, the concept of God subduing nations and peoples under His rule is a recurring theme.
Psalm 47:3 declares, "He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet." This reflects the belief in God's ultimate sovereignty over all the earth, where He exercises His power to bring about His purposes. The subduing of nations is seen as an act of divine justice and order, establishing God's kingdom and authority.
Spiritual WarfareIn the New Testament, the idea of subduing extends to spiritual warfare. Believers are called to subdue sinful desires and spiritual forces of evil. In
1 Corinthians 9:27 , the Apostle Paul writes, "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." Here, subduing is related to self-control and the mastery of one's own body and desires, aligning them with God's will.
Christ's VictoryUltimately, the theme of subduing finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In
Philippians 3:21 , it is written, "He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subdue all things to Himself." Christ's victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness is the ultimate act of subduing, bringing all things under His lordship and establishing His eternal kingdom.
In summary, the biblical concept of subduing encompasses humanity's role in creation, God's sovereignty over nations, the call to spiritual discipline, and the ultimate victory of Christ. It underscores the authority and power of God working through His people to accomplish His divine purposes.
Strong's Hebrew
3711. kaphah -- to subdue... kaphah. 3712 . to subdue. Transliteration: kaphah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-faw')
Short Definition:
subdues.
... root Definition to subdue NASB Word Usage
subdues (1
...7287a. radah -- to have dominion, rule, dominate
... rule, dominate NASB Word Usage dominated (1), had dominion (1), have dominion (1),
prevailed (1), rule (12), ruled (4), ruling (1), subdued (1),subdues (1)....
1696. dabar -- to speak
... 1), says (4), sing (1), speak (297), speaking (61), speaks (34), speaks fluently
(1), spoke (333), spoken (188), state (2), statements (2),subdues (2), talk (7...
7286. radad -- to beat out, beat down, subdue
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beat out, beat down, subdue NASB Word Usage
gone (1), spread (1), subdue (1),subdues (1). spend, spread, subdue....
Library
ChristSubdues a Storm on the Sea. --Character of the Act as a...
... CHRIST'S FIRST GENERAL MINISTRY IN GALILEE. Section 131. Christsubdues a Storm
on the Sea."Character of the Act as a Miracle."Its moral Significance....
Herod Takes Sepphoris andSubdues the Robbers that were in the...
... Herod Takes Sepphoris AndSubdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony...
I Will Call in My Affliction, on the Power thatSubdues All
... Hymn XII. I will call in my affliction, on the Power thatsubdues all.
1. I will call in my affliction, on the Power thatsubdues...
Of Hercules and his Life and Death.
... anger; or he who has brought down most rapacious birds, than he who restrains most
covetous desires; or he whosubdues a warlike Amazon, than he whosubdues...
The Tamed Lion.
... A sense of gratitude. But man himself, who thussubdues. The fiercest beasts of
prey;... The love thy bleeding cross displays,. The hardest heartsubdues;...
The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Principle of all Good Actions...
... it is ready to bestir itself and disperse its odours and virtue, till at last it
gets so perfect a dominion in perfect souls that it quitesubdues the contrary...
Love of Religion, a New Nature.
... may become such;"what they differ in is this, not that one man has it, another not;
but that one lives in and to it, another not; onesubdues it, another not...
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian
... Hymn XII. I will call in my affliction, on the Power thatsubdues all. Hymn
XIII. Concerning Mar Jacob and his Companions. Hymn XIV....
The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
... Herod Takes Sepphoris AndSubdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony...
The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... degrees backward. The power of Godsubdues our corruptions. "He will subdue
our iniquities" (Micah 7:19). Is your sin strong? God...
Thesaurus
Subdues (6 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Subdues (6 Occurrences). Psalms 18:47 even the God who
executes vengeance for me, and
subdues peoples under me. (WEB NAS NIV).
...Executes (11 Occurrences)
... Psalms 18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me, andsubdues peoples
under me. (WEB NAS). Psalms 75:7 But God is the judge....
Curb (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) That which curbs, restrains, orsubdues; a check or hindrance; esp., a chain
or strap attached to the upper part of the branches of a bit, and capable...
Crushes (7 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces
andsubdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it...
Subdueth (6 Occurrences)
Subduedst (1 Occurrence)
Deliverer (29 Occurrences)
... Psalms 144:2 my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield,
and he in whom I take refuge; whosubdues my people under me....
Subdue (26 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Psalms 47:3 Hesubdues nations under us,
and peoples under our feet. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces
andsubdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it...
Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Psalms 18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me, andsubdues
peoples under me. (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV). Psalms...
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