Kingdom 101: Let Them Have Dominion
Man was given dominion over things and animals, not over another man or mankind. Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” This is the most fundamental principle for understanding the nature and desires of humanity. Here the Creator God expresses clearly why He created man. The statement leaves no doubt as to what motivated His creating man and His expectation of man's behavior. It also establishes man's assignment and the standard of success for his existence. Now the word dominion lays the foundation for the Kingdom concept as it relates to God's purpose and plan for all mankind.
Remember, man was not to have dominion over mankind. It was to be over the fish of the sea, birds of the air, the livestock, earth and all that creeps upon the ground. This statement is very critical as it defines the nature and boundaries of the rulership of mankind. It is essential to note that the human entity is not included in the context of man's domination. The implication is that the Lord God never intended for man to rule over or to dominate his own kind, but rather to rule the creation and resources of planet earth.
Now, the question arises: What is dominion? In the art of human communication, it is understood that successful communication is only possible when the terms and the concepts used between the subject and object of that communication are the same. Let us explore the Kingdom concept for us to have a fundamental understanding of the root of this concept of dominion as it pertains to the Kingdom concept.
The Lord God's first declaration of man's purpose for creation is hidden in this word dominion. For man to understand himself and his purpose, it is imperative that this word be thoroughly understood. The word dominion and rule are synonymous and derive their meaning from the same root words. The Hebrew words from which the concept of Kingdom dominion comes are mashel, mamlakah, malkut and the Greek derivative is the word basileia. Now the definitions of these words are: to rule; sovereignty; to reign; kingdom; to master; to be king; royal rule and kingly. The term mamlakak also signifies the area and the people that constitute a kingdom.
Please note: the concept of king was also considered the embodiment of kingdom. The king was viewed as the symbol of the kingdom and personified the glory of the kingdom (meaning the culture of his kingdom)
Remember, man was not to have dominion over mankind. It was to be over the fish of the sea, birds of the air, the livestock, earth and all that creeps upon the ground. This statement is very critical as it defines the nature and boundaries of the rulership of mankind. It is essential to note that the human entity is not included in the context of man's domination. The implication is that the Lord God never intended for man to rule over or to dominate his own kind, but rather to rule the creation and resources of planet earth.
Now, the question arises: What is dominion? In the art of human communication, it is understood that successful communication is only possible when the terms and the concepts used between the subject and object of that communication are the same. Let us explore the Kingdom concept for us to have a fundamental understanding of the root of this concept of dominion as it pertains to the Kingdom concept.
The Lord God's first declaration of man's purpose for creation is hidden in this word dominion. For man to understand himself and his purpose, it is imperative that this word be thoroughly understood. The word dominion and rule are synonymous and derive their meaning from the same root words. The Hebrew words from which the concept of Kingdom dominion comes are mashel, mamlakah, malkut and the Greek derivative is the word basileia. Now the definitions of these words are: to rule; sovereignty; to reign; kingdom; to master; to be king; royal rule and kingly. The term mamlakak also signifies the area and the people that constitute a kingdom.
Please note: the concept of king was also considered the embodiment of kingdom. The king was viewed as the symbol of the kingdom and personified the glory of the kingdom (meaning the culture of his kingdom)
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen--
Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
~~Psalm 8:4-8
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen--
Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
~~Psalm 8:4-8
Genesis 1:26 Psalm 8:4-8
~~W.R. Luchie
~~W.R. Luchie
