Answers Research Journal 6 (2013):1–16.

https://assets.answersresearchjournal.org/doc/v6/dominion-mandate.pdf

Is There a Dominion Mandate?

Darek Isaacs, Beth Hallel, 2230 Sumpter Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35226.
Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of the dominion mandate. It examines the key passages of
Scripture in which the dominion mandate has found its origin. It explores the observational evidence
of man’s interaction with nature and questions if there is any true dominion that can be observed. It
then proceeds to examine the Bible for evidence of the original dominion of Adam being extant and
offers a rebuttal to the idea of a dominion mandate with a counter position.

Keywords: dominion mandate, moral dominion, dominion of man, subdue the earth, image of God,
law of God.

Introduction tread down upon, and even crumble off (Brown,

A common position amongst young-earth Driver, and Briggs 2008, p. 921; Strong 1979).
creationists, and even the wider evangelical Within the context of the Creation, and then the
community, is that mankind has dominion on earth. subsequent fall, one finds it quite moving at the lexical
This means that mankind has been given a special range of râdâh. Adam had dominion and rule over
authority and rule over the creatures and the Creation. creation and within this reign and rule he had the
This concept is so widely applied and held that it has ability to sustain the good creation through obedience.
even earned a special doctrinal name, which is the But equally so, Adam had the power to make the good
dominion mandate. creation crumble and suffer if he was disobedient to
From this concept, it has been inferred by many the command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge
that a command was given to Adam, and all of his of good and evil.
descendants, to have dominion and rule over all For those who understand the biblical narrative,
the animal kind, and the Creation. Therefore, all of and what self-imposed trauma soon followed in
humanity are recipients of this perceived Adamic Adam’s life, the ability to have a dominion, and then
dominion. to utterly crumble all under his dominion is a sobering
The dominion mandate, itself, is not named reality. It is also a poignant reminder of the position
nor defined in Scripture, and so offering a deeper and power handed to man from the Creator at the
definition, which everyone can agree on, is not very beginning.
possible. However, it is possible to locate where the It is from these exalted beginnings in the good
idea of the dominion mandate stems from. It is the creation that the dominion mandate has been
biblical passage in Genesis 1:26–28: fashioned and formed by theologians to demonstrate
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, the importance and place of man. But does the so-
according to Our likeness; let them have dominion called dominion mandate assume too much?
over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and
over the cattle, over all the earth and over every The Theological Application of the
creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God Dominion Mandate
created man in His own image; in the image of God Using the concept of the Dominion Mandate
He created him; male and female He created them. (among other concepts as well), creationists argue
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be against the evolutionary assertion that mankind
fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; is just an accidental walking sac of bone and water
have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds that somehow gained consciousness. Creationists,
of the air, and over every living thing that moves on rather, argue mankind has a distinct purpose and
the earth.” plan endowed by the Creator and use the dominion
In very clear language the Bible explains that man mandate as a doctrinal proof of this assertion.
was made in the image of God and was given dominion But the dominion mandate does not stop there. It
over the creatures and was given the authority to has been given an extraordinary weight of explanation
subdue to earth. over a wide swath of issues. The dominion mandate
The Hebrew word for dominion in the biblical text has been used as the reason why aliens cannot exist
is râdâh. Râdâh means dominion, reign, to prevail or visit earth (Bates 2010, p. 378). It is used to argue
against, and rule. It can also mean subjugation, to why man is morally allowed to clone animals (Sarfati
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2 D. Isaacs

2002), and it is used as a call for good stewardship over Also notice that this dominion was not described as
the environment (Wieland and Sarfati 2002). Some a command in the biblical text. The biblical language
extend it to mean that we should exercise dominion of ‛âśâh, which many modern translations render
over our “personalities and abilities” (Erickson 2009, “. . . Let Us make . . .” in Genesis 1:26, means to appoint,
p. 535) and that we should even be able to predict bestow, in charge of, grant, advance (Brown, Driver,
and control the actions of the Creation due to this and Briggs 2008; Strong 1979).
dominion (Erickson 2009, p. 529). Therefore, this passage is best understood to mean
The breadth of its application is a bit overwhelming a right was passed from the Godhead to Adam. What
and is the first red flag. When some singular ideal was given to Adam was a position of dominion and
is used as the proof argument for topics as widely it was an endowment, an appointment; something
different as these, then one should recognize that bestowed, a position that was granted. It was not an
the ideal must not be precisely defined; for it is being order that was given.
employed as a proof argument on topics which are not We see the same usage as this for ‛âśâh in 1 Kings
necessarily closely related. 12:31 (English Standard Version translation): “He
More problems arrive when the dominion mandate also made temples on high places and appointed
is treated like a command from God. [‛âśâh] priests from among all the people, who were
One creationist wrote: “This ‘dominion mandate,’ not of the Levites.”
as it has been called, is in effect a command to ‘do This understanding of ‛âśâh, in this context,
science . . .’” (Morris 2010, p. 4). being a position of appointment enjoys the collective
Another uses surprisingly strong language and agreement by the biblical scholars who worked on
wrote that God, “. . . [God] ordered mankind to ‘subdue’ important biblical translations in history.
the earth—also known as the dominion mandate Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after
(Genesis 1:28)” (Bates 2010, p. 378). our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish
Overstating the case by saying this dominion of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
mandate is an order or a command has wide the livestock and over all the earth and over every
consequences to the biblical narrative. With an order creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis
or command comes an implied obedience to the one 1:26 English Standard Version).
to whom it was given. Therefore, the idea of an order And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after
being inserted into that particular passage places an our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish
extra burden of obedience on Adam before the Fall of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
beyond just not eating of the fruit of the tree of the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
knowledge of good and evil. thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26
Therefore, this additional command leads to the King James Version).
question that if Adam failed to subdue the earth, Furthermore God said, Let vs make man in our image
before the Fall, would that have been a sin? If so, according to our lickenes, and let them rule ouer the
what would the consequence be? Would Adam have fish of the sea, and the ouer the foule of the heauen,
been banished from of the Garden? Would that have and ouer the beastes, & ouer all the earth, and ouer
brought condemnation to all mankind? the beastes, & ouer all the earth, and ouer euerie
As one can see, it is not such an easy proposition thing that crepeth & moueth on the earth (Genesis
to casually refer to dominion as a command. It is 1:26 The Geneva Bible 1560).
imperative to understand that there were no other Make we man to oure ymage and liknesse, and be he
moral obligations that Adam had other than to refrain soueryn to the fischis of the see, and to the volatilis
from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and of heuene, and to vnresonable beestis of erthe, and
evil. For without eating of the tree of the knowledge to ech creature, and to ech crepynge beest, which is
of good and evil, there would not have been any sin or moued in erthe (Genesis 1:26 The Wycliffe Bible of
moral failures. 1388).
There was no wider, broader law of God that Adam Then God said, “Let us make humankind according
was under. There was no commandment to keep the to our image and according to our likeness, and let
Sabbath holy or any other command outside of the them rule the fish of the sea and the birds of the
one, as some have suggested. To assume any part sky and the cattle and all the earth and all creeping
of the Torah, which was given to Moses to govern things that creep upon the earth (Genesis 1:26 New
the nation of Israel, which in turn laid out the path English Translation of the Septuagint).
to redemption because of the original sin, actually The key phrase of “Let us make” (‛âśâh) applies
applied to Adam before the original sin, is a flawed to the image of man but then again to the dominion
understanding of the entire plan of God and the road of man, which we see rendered, “let them have
to redemption. dominion, let them rule, and be he sovereign”. It is
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 3

very clear that a commanding position was being Natural disasters often put mankind at their mercy.
given to man, which is different from “commanding These things demonstrate occurrences that force
man to command,” which is how those championing a man to respond to them as best as man can. In the
dominion mandate have rendered it in concept. present natural environment, conditions are adverse
The burden of proof to reestablish dominion as a and man’s ingenuity sometimes overcomes, but
forceful demand from God to Adam, which required sometimes it does not. Man is killed by acts of nature
obedience, must lie with proponents of the dominion every year.
mandate for it breaks from precedent. However, Yeshua (Jesus) demonstrated that He did
In contrast, let us look at how God does issue a have dominion over nature in the calming of the seas.
command. Genesis 2:16–17 reads: The Bible records for us that the Last Adam displayed
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of an authority, a dominion, over creation.
every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the In contrast to Yeshua, fallen man has no such
tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not command or rule over nature. The disciples of Messiah
eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely were amazed that the sea obeyed the command of
die.” Messiah (Luke 8:24–25). The disciples obviously did
The Hebrew word in this passage for “commanded” not have dominion over creation, but they witnessed
is tsâvâh. This word is absent in Genesis 1:26–28 someone who did.
and notice the difference between Genesis 1:26–28 In addition to destructive events, there are thorns,
and Genesis 2:16–17. In the latter, the command to thistles, and weeds, which choke out the farmers
not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil crops. These also do not demonstrate an obedience to
was paired with a consequence if that command was the will of the farmer, nor do all the insects which
disobeyed. Neither this Hebrew word for command, feed on the roots of the crops. In fact, in today’s post-
nor a consequence, is found in Genesis 1:26–28 when Fall environment, growing crops is best likened to
discussing the dominion of man. engaging in “warfare” in the soil.1
The idea that dominion was a command to Adam
is alien to the biblical text. What is relayed in the Does the “Dominion Mandate” Imply, and/or is
Jewish Scriptures, which all respected translations it Achieved through Technological Advances?
remain true to, is that God, before the Fall, let Adam It has been suggested to this author, that the
have a position of authority in creation. Adamic dominion implies the work to subdue the
forces of nature like creating air conditioning and
Pre-Fall Environment inventing polio vaccinations, etc.
We also understand that in the beginning, before Let no one be confused. Dominion is not the attempt
the Fall, Adam lived in an environment that was or work to try to subdue.
much different from our environment today. A pre- Nowhere is the struggle to overcome actually
Fall world would have been fundamentally different, labeled the victory. Likewise, nor should the struggle
and just because something was applicable before the against nature be labeled as the dominion.
Fall does not mean it is applicable after the Fall (and One may have air conditioning, but many still
the reverse of this is also true.) fall to heat stroke. Let us not be too confident in
Furthermore, we understand that the natural the technological prowess we achieve. A quick walk
environment itself was different in a pre-Fall through a wing at a hospital that treats terminally
format. In Genesis 3:17 it is explained that the ill patients will solve our pride in believing we have
ground was cursed after the Fall and it became an achieved dominion over disease because we have
obstacle to man. Which, on face value, appears to created a few vaccinations.
be a contradiction to the idea of man maintaining Furthermore, the whole idea that a demonstration
dominion over it. of our original Adamic dominion is seen in our creation
Therefore, it is prudent to explore the post-Fall of polio vaccinations, etc. is untenable. How low,
world and see if there is naturalistic evidence of man’s distorted, and impotent our view of true dominion is,
dominion over nature and over the animal kind. when we liken dominion to needing to stab our fleshly
bodies with metal needles which introduce foreign
Dominion over Nature entities into our body, precisely because mankind has
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, hail, been made ill or killed by entities that have already
wild fires, volcanoes, meteor strikes, etc. do not invaded our bodies precisely because they did not
demonstrate an obedience to man’s reign or will. recognize our dominion.
1
In a personal communication with Dr. Horace Skipper, soil microbiologist and Professor Emeritus of Clemson University, he described
a biological warfare in the soil due to the attacking entities, which feed on the seed of the crop and compete for soil nutrients. Farmers
must fight back or suffer a loss of crop.
4 D. Isaacs

It is poor reasoning to conclude that our responses Some elephants have been successfully
to our lack of dominion are the actual demonstration domesticated, but the majority of elephants remain a
of our dominion. Many have thought themselves into danger to humans if boundaries are violated. Even
confusion in the hopes of hanging on to a human rule. so-called domesticated creatures still remain a viable
threat to humans. This obvious threat challenges the
Hurricane Sandy central idea that man has an extant dominion over
Even further evidence of man’s lack of dominion over the animal kind.
nature has been seen in catastrophic levels recently. Another exhibit of the lack of man’s dominion over
The United States mobilized some of the most robust the animal kind is this terrible and terrifying example
tools and resources in mankind’s history to contend of the pet python who killed the toddler.
against the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Yet, no one Charles Darnell awoke Wednesday morning to find
in their right mind would say that those emergency his girlfriends’ [sic] 2-year-old daughter in the tight
workers in the affected areas are exhibiting and clutches of his 12-foot pet Burmese python. The fatal
achieving dominion over the wrath of Sandy. incident occurred around 10 a.m. at Darnell’s residents
In fact, what Hurricane Sandy has shown, is that [sic], 60 miles northwest of Orlando.
man, in one of the most technologically advanced The python apparently escaped from the confines of
areas the world has ever seen, has zero dominion over its cage overnight and strangled the toddler. Darnell,
his environment when nature does the unexpected. the snake’s owner stabbed the snake in order to free
Hurricane Sandy has, in effect, made a farce of any the girl from the snake’s death grip. Charles was able
dominion we think we have. to pull the two-year-old free before calling 911.
As a warning, the theological/apologist community Despite paramedic’s efforts to revive the 2-year-old, she
opens itself up to extraordinary attack from the was pronounced dead at the scene (Roberts 2009).
secular world if key members continue to promote A power of the biblical faith is that it is an immensely
such a dominion over nature. practical faith, which is able to be confirmed by
naturalistic evidence. This practicality is one reason
Dominion over Animals why the Bible is so successful in providing comfort
Lions, bears, rhinoceroses, sharks, snakes, sting and understanding when tragedy strikes.
rays etc. do not demonstrate a subjection to man’s will. However, there is zero understanding, and zero
As man migrates into more of their territory we see comfort that can be given if one is going to counsel
the instances of animal attacks increase. It is obvious the grieving mother by explaining that the child and
the animal kingdom does not demonstrate subjection she had dominion over that snake. Obviously, the
to man even though Adam was given dominion over dominion, will, and force of the snake was imposed by
these creatures in Genesis 1:28. the snake upon the child, regardless of the will, rule,
Everyone can observe man’s lack of dominion over authority, or dominion of any human in that house.
life forms every day if one just pays attention. Every To believe in the dominion mandate of Adam, not only
time a tick is pulled from the skin, a mosquito bites, a doesn’t work, but is an attack and an affront to reason
mouse scurries across the floor, a fish does not bite the when faced with reality.
bait is a demonstration that these creatures recognize A leopard seal killed a snorkeling scientist, as
no dominion or wish of man. reported on August 6, 2003 by National Geographic
So strong is the case that man was eager to create News,
insect repellants and other devices (mouse traps, etc.) The death of a British marine biologist in Antarctica
as a response to the creatures blatant insubordination. last month [July 22] is thought to be the first human
We must protect our homes against pests (think fatality caused by a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx).
termites) because they will and do invade our places But scientists fear further seal attacks as the number
even though our strongest will is that they would not. of people working in the region continues to rise.
These creatures do not recognize our domain. These Kirsty Brown was dragged underwater by the seal
creatures will not heed a rebuke and so we fight back while snorkeling near Rothera research station on
to kill the invaders. the Antarctic Peninsula.
However, often these encounters between man and Horrified colleagues from the British Antarctic Survey
beast go beyond a simple annoyance. (BAS) scrambled a rescue boat and managed to pull
An Australian zookeeper was attacked by the very Brown from the water. Despite trying to resuscitate
elephant she was caring for. CNN reported that: her for an hour, the station doctor was unable to save
A zookeeper was in stable condition at a Sydney the 28-year-old (Owen 2003).
hospital Saturday, a day after she was crushed by A large problem is that many theologians and
a young male elephant during a training session biblical apologists are carefully insulated behind the
(Anonymous 2012a). non-biting pages of books, and the non-lethal pixels of
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 5

computer screens. They have become solely document “I think they were lucky that she was close by her
explorers. This separation and isolation from true father, that he reacted the way he did and that it was
wilderness, and the animals that inhabit it, creates a a small cat,” said Naylor, noting many cougar attacks
situation where people have their perceptions hijacked are on children because of their size (McMurray
by the conceptual without ever engaging the reality of 2011).
the natural. These attacks are not consistent with the claim
Many, who promote the dominion mandate, seem that man has dominion. The evidence suggests that
to be naïve to the extraordinary fact, that when nature is at odds with man and that animals do not
humanity does encounter creatures in the wild, it can respect a dominion of man.
become a precarious situation for the humans. The An adult man on Vancouver Island had to escape
leopard seal acknowledged no respect for the scientist an attack by a hungry cougar according to the
and the scientist was unable to exert any dominion Huffington Post:
over the animal. The evidence shows that the human Fearing for his life, a 38-year-old Vancouver Island
encroached on the territory of the animal, and the man says he ran from the fangs and claws of a ravenous
animal killed the human. This certainly does not cougar and scaled a hefty piece of construction
demonstrate that mankind has a dominion over the equipment in a desperate bid to escape.
animal kingdom. It demonstrates that whoever or With his pants shredded by the cougar’s jaws and a
whatever has the upper hand can come out on top. shoe lost along the way thanks to a swipe from the
The idea that man kept Adam’s dominion simply does animal’s claws, John Frank Jr. said he climbed a
not work when the evidence is weighed. locked-up excavator’s boom and called for help on his
Even man’s best friend can become a dangerous radio.
threat. KFBB of Montana, reported that: The community of Ahousat, B.C., located north of
A three year old, bit in the face by a dog, thankfully Tofino, B.C., on the island’s west coast, responded to
will make a full recovery. This isn’t an uncommon Tuesday’s attack, with some residents arriving on
situation. Dogs are animals and while they can be the scene in their trucks, scaring the cougar away.
best of pets, they can be dangerous (Ousley 2012). “I was attacked. There’s no two ways about it,”
So even the most trusted of all animals can turn Frank told The Canadian Press in an interview on
on people. This certainly does not demonstrate a Wednesday. “The cougar wanted to eat me as a meal”
dominion over the animal kind. (Drews 2012).
Furthermore, every pet must be trained through Those who have dominion do not usually have to
violence in some degree to recognize the wishes climb construction equipment to escape those they
of man. It is not a true dominion. And without have dominion over. Nor do those who are under the
demonstrating consequences regularly, any obedience dominion of another try to eat that authority figure.
will dissipate. Any animal expert will also tell you to The Wall Street Journal reported that in February
never fully trust an animal. But, if one cannot fully of 2010, a killer whale killed Sea World trainer Dawn
trust a subject, is that entity truly subjected? The Brancheau during a live performance. The orca
answer is no. dragged her into the water by her ponytail, which
The Calgary Sun reported that a young girl was caused her to be scalped, and then after a combination
able to survive a cougar attack because the father was of blunt force trauma’s and drowning, the patrons
able to rescue her. witnessed that trainer die (Last 2012).
A six-year-old girl was walking on a trail in the The victim, Brancheau did not have dominion
Barrier Lake day-use area of Bow Valley Provincial over the orca. Therefore, the dominion of Adam has
Park Sunday evening about 85 km west of Calgary failed.
with her mother, father and nine-year-old brother Some orcas have been domesticated to a point where
when a cougar leaped from the trees on the side of they remain in captivity and can even be used in
the path. shows for paying customers. However, there are times
“The girl’s father, who was walking in front of her, when no amount of training can stop an otherwise
heard the commotion and turned around to find domesticated whale from killing its caretaker.
the cat attacking his daughter”, said Glenn Naylor, Therefore, the cooperation of the killer whale is
district conservation officer with Alberta Parks in highly conditional, and obviously, mankind has yet
Canmore. to abide by all of those conditions that killer whales
“He yelled and tried to scare it off by throwing a require of us. For when the conditions are not present,
water bottle.” as determined solely by the orca, people can die. It
The cat — a male less than two years old and weighing is important to note the orca participation must be
about 36 kg—retreated, leaving the girl with minor coerced, man cannot force the participation, and
cuts and puncture wounds. ultimately, the conditions are either acceptable to the
6 D. Isaacs

orca, or not. It is not the other way around, which the “Unfortunately, the dogs were in pack mentality and
Adamic mandate would suggest. not responding,” the zoo said (Anonymous 2012b).
Even non-carnivorous animals that are in a Even in captivity, when well fed, these dogs
pattern of being cared for, and are, to all intents recognized nothing but a meal and did not respond
and purposes, domesticated so that they can serve a to the humans when they were attacking the victim.
use to humanity, can be lethal without warning. At It is untenable to think that this boy, or any zoo
Select Sires, one of the premier Bovine facilities in the employee, had dominion over these creatures. This is
world, a young man was crushed to death by a bull. another tragic situation where the animal kingdom
The Columbus Dispatch reported, showed its violent animosity against mankind. To
A 24-year-old man died yesterday after he was think that mankind has kept the Adamic dominion is
crushed by a bull at a farm near Plain City in Union an incredulous notion.
County. William “Logan” Krebehenne, of Richwood, It is in the real world, discussing real life and death
was pronounced dead at 3:09 p.m. at Dublin Methodist situations, that the doctrine of the dominion mandate
Hospital following the incident, the sheriff’s office appears completely absurd at face value. In fact, the
announced this morning (Ludlow 2012). only way to argue for some sort of dominion over the
The attack was completely unprovoked. It was animals, is to redefine what rule and authority is,
simply a case of a large animal inexplicably turning much like old earth creationists who have redefined
on its caretaker and killing him without warning. the meaning of a day.
In Nepal, CNN reported that a frightened district Fox News reported another notable incident:
has put up a reward for a leopard that has identified A 24-year-old man was mauled to death Sunday
humans as the prey of choice. morning while cleaning a grizzly bear enclosure at
A ferocious leopard may have killed 15 people in a wildlife casting agency in southwestern Montana,
Nepal in a 15-month span, its latest victim a 4-year- Gallatin County officials said.
old boy that the creature dragged away into the jungle The man was mauled by one or both of the captive-
to eat. bred grizzly bears at the Animals of Montana facility
The head of boy was found in the forest a kilometer north of Bozeman, Sheriff Brian Gootkin said.
from his home Saturday morning, said Kamal The victim’s name wasn’t immediately released, but
Prasad Kharel, the police chief of the Baitadi district, officials said he’s originally from Pennsylvania.
an area about 600 kilometers (373 miles) west of Chuck Watson, attorney for Animals of Montana’s
Kathmandu. owner, Troy Hyde, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle
The grisly discovery, which came after teams of people the grizzly bear had to be put down in order to recover
searched for the child, marks the 15th victim in the the victim. “It’s obviously a tragic situation, and I
past 15 months in that remote district in western don’t think we’ll ever know exactly what happened,”
Nepal (Shrestha 2012). Watson said (Anonymous 2012c).
The theological doctrine of man having dominion The evidence demonstrates that beasts often kill
over the animal kind is having no impact on the man when man enters their domain. The evidence
leopard feeding on them who supposedly have the demonstrates that mankind and the animal kingdom
dominion. Man’s world of theology needs to wake up are opponents and the one who gets the upper
to reality. hand can have control over the situation as long as
A young boy was killed at the Pittsburgh Zoo when circumstances do not abruptly change.
he fell into an African wild dog exhibit. The Washington Post reported that a violent bee
A group of African painted dogs killed a boy who fell attack left one dead and two injured.
into their exhibit today at the Pittsburgh Zoo. A hiker died Monday after he was attacked by a
Barbara Baker, the zoo’s president, said the child was swarm of bees and fell about 150 feet off a cliff at
around 3 years old. a popular recreation area in Phoenix, authorities
He “fell off an observation deck that’s about 14 feet said . . . . Two other hikers were airlifted out after each
above the exhibit,” she said, “and was killed by the was stung about 300 times. Paramedics said both
dogs.” men were hospitalized in serious but stable condition
“Our emergency teams and our Pittsburgh police and expected to recover.
responded immediately, but there wasn’t anything Fire officials said the three men were attacked by
that could be done,” added Baker. bees about 3:45 p.m. on a trail near Ice Box Canyon.
The boy fell into the enclosure at 11:45 a.m., and visitors The two survivors hid in a small crevice to avoid the
quickly alerted staff, the zoo said in a statement. swarm until rescuers arrived.
A zookeeper moved seven of the 11 dogs out of the Some of the rescue workers wore white protective
exhibit, and a Veterinarian Department member shot suits to keep them from also being stung (Anonymous
darts trying to scare away the remaining dogs. 2012d).
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 7

An unbiased mind would never come to the square with Adam being given dominion over nature
conclusion that the dead man at the bottom of the in Genesis 1?
canyon, and the two men hiding in the crevice, had
dominion over the bees attacking them. Neither could Was Dominion Relinquished?
the unbiased individual think that the rescuers had A simple question that can be asked is—is there an
dominion, for they were wearing protective gear event, which occurred that could have taken dominion
precisely so they could survive an attack from the over creation away from Adam, and subsequently,
bees. mankind?
It is a safe assumption that the majority of the There is a catastrophic event in Genesis 3:6 when
unruly bees escaped from being punished by the Adam disobeyed the instruction of the Lord and ate
humans for their act of insurrection. Then, if this from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The
is true, it would prove that the humans were firstly, Bible instructs that through Adam’s disobedience that
powerless to enforce their dominion by evidence that death came to all creation, man and nature (Romans
they were attacked, and secondly, they are shown to 5:12, 8:20–21).
be hopelessly powerless to punish the offenders after The Bible also instructs the way creatures interact
the act. If governance is incapable of prevention, and with man drastically changed, for God put the fear of
then is shown to be incapable of punishment, then it humans within the animals after the Flood (Genesis
is not governance, and no dominion of any kind can be 9:2). Therefore, any spirit of obedience to man the
shown. This Adamic dominion mandate is simply not animals did have is now altered by God. Therefore,
demonstrable when the naturalistic evidence is taken man’s rule of the animal kingdom is fundamentally
seriously. changed from what it was in a pre-Fall format and
But what does this position of a defunct Adamic God is the one who changed it (as a consequence to
dominion do with James 3:7 which states: Adam’s sin).
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and It should be noted this change is what is seen today.
creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by Most animals are afraid of humans, and out of fear we
mankind. see fight or flight. Another change in man and animal
Yes, every kind can be. But this does not translate interaction from before the Fall is that animals are
to every one of every kind. Some orcas have been used now allowed to be used by man for food (Genesis 9:3).
successfully in shows at Sea World. Others, as we Therefore, animals are given into man’s hand as prey
have seen, have killed their trainers. to the predator.
Some tigers have been trained for shows and have It is clearly seen that man’s relationship over the
performed well. Another tiger seized his trainer by the creatures is not dominion over loyal subjects. Rather
head and neck and dragged him off stage (Anonymous animals are prey, and they often flee from man who
2003). That tiger opted to exhibit its dominion over is the predator and fleeing is a telltale sign of not
the man. obeying the pursuer. Yet sometimes, as cited in this
Painful facts still remain facts, even if theologians article, the animals exhibit lethal dominion over
and apologists don’t like them. Mankind must deal man, which flatly contradicts the idea that man has
with the fact that things will happen that man, acting dominion over animals.
in the natural, cannot prevent regardless of their But, as one can see, our observed lack of
strongest will or wish. Nothing about these situations dominion over the animal kind is confirming to the
demonstrates dominion. What is demonstrated is that biblical narrative. The Bible gives us a history of
mankind must build up defenses of all kinds for the the relationship between man and animal. In the
precise reason that we do not have dominion. Simply beginning, man had dominion and harmony with
put, there is no recognition of our dominion by the the animal kind and all of nature. Neither man nor
animal kingdom and a king without subjects is only a animal viewed the other as predator or prey and
king in their own mind. Adam was given the mantle of being ruler over the
Also, one should not confuse having dominion with Creation. Then, the biblical history explains how that
being on top of the food chain, either. Dominion is rule changed due to Adam’s sin. Ultimately, God, Himself,
and reign. Humanity is certainly on top of the food significantly changed the relationship between man
chain under most circumstances, but in some cases, and all of creation.
animals eat man. To deny that man’s dominion was lost, is to deny
Therefore, since nature indicates a lack of Scripture, the effects of the sinful Fall, and the
recognition of man’s dominion both in environmental observed evidence of man and animal interaction
occurrences (floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, today. The only place the Adamic Dominion can find
volcanoes, tornadoes) and in animals (at odds with support is within the pride of man, for evidence of it
creatures), then how does this observed evidence being extant is absent absolutely everywhere else.
8 D. Isaacs

Can the Original Dominion be Redefined? demonstrate to Job that Job did not have control, right,
Some have taken the opportunity to redefine what or might over his environment—all of the things that
the Adamic dominion implied. As an example: is there a dominion would imply. Furthermore, one would find
now a moral dominion that man must preside over it difficult arguing with Job that he had dominion
as one reviewer suggested? This should go without over anything at all. The appointed Adamic dominion
stating, but the dominion in Genesis states nothing simply fails to be seen in the post-Fall biblical
about a moral dominion in the context of where the environment as described in the book of Job.
conceptual dominion mandate comes from. According to Ephesians 2:1–3, sinful man is
But, if we are free to start inventing dominions, one following someone else, which implies an obedience
supposes we could create a moral dominion for man to, or a dominion under another.
to reside over. But, how could mankind be trusted And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses
with a moral dominion after the Fall, when Adam and sins, in which you once walked according to the
was unable to be trusted with a piece of fruit before it course of this world, according to the prince of the
while all of his morality was still intact? power of the air, the spirit who now works in the
Making things up is never the answer to solving sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once
biblical questions. Sticking to the simple language conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
in the divinely inspired text is where the answers the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by
reside. nature children of wrath, just as the others.
And according to Psalm 14:2–3 Here we learn unrepentant man is following
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children another who is the prince of the power of the air.
of men, to see if there are any who understand, who Revelation 2:13 goes deeper into this prince.
seek God. They have all turned aside, they have I know your works, and where you dwell, where
together become corrupt; there is none who does good, Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name,
no, not one. and did not deny My faith even in the days in which
It does not appear the Lord puts any stock in Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed
man being able to maintain a moral dominion. among you, where Satan dwells.
Furthermore, the rest of the biblical narrative provides This is a fascinating passage because this
a Savior precisely because mankind is incapable of is Messiah speaking to John. And Messiah is
having a successful moral dominion. mentioning the throne of Satan. A throne certainly is
Redefining what the original dominion means may consistent with having some sort of dominion, which
be acceptable in theological circles, but it should not is consistent with Satan being called the prince of the
be accepted in biblical circles. power of the air in the passage in Ephesians 2:1–3.
We also see the throne of Satan is spoken of as if on
According to most Theologians, Man has earth. It then follows that where one has a throne, one
Dominion(s). has a measure of dominion and this is consistent with
But, does the Bible Actually Teach Something what we learn in Job 1:7 that Satan roams around on
Different? the earth.
Does the Bible give us any indication that something This idea of Satan having a dominion or an authority
else, other than mankind, may have dominion over on earth is further developed in other passages. There
the earth? is an enlightening interchange between Messiah and
This is the key to the discussion. Are we willing to Satan recorded in Matthew 4:8–10:
take in the whole counsel of the written Word of God, Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high
or do we simply stop reading after Genesis chapter 2 mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the
irrespective of what happens next? world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these
First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that man does things I will give You if You will fall down and worship
not have a dominion over creatures on earth after the me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan!
Fall. For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your
The Leviathan was a creature used as a teaching God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
tool to Job, by God, as an instrument to demonstrate Satan presents himself to Messiah as the authority
that it would not submit to man (Job 41:1–8). of earth, and the one who had authority to give to
Likewise, the behemoth in Job 40:24, God issued the Messiah the kingdoms of the world. Yeshua did not
challenge to try to pierce the nose of the behemoth, rebuke that claim by Satan. Rather, He rebuked the
with a snare, which is the technique used to try to claim that anyone can be worshiped besides God. It
control big beasts like oxen and such. was by this rebuke in which He did exercise authority
Clearly, mankind had no rule over these creatures over Satan (therefore Satan has no authority over the
who were used as examples by God, Himself, to Lord, but rather over that which has fallen).
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 9

Satan having a throne and presenting himself And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him
as one having authority on earth are confirming to be head over all things to the church, which is His
accounts of an implied dominion of Satan. This claim body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
to earthly things by Satan is seen again in the book This occurred after Messiah was willfully subjected
of Jude when Satan is disputing with the archangel under the dominion of darkness and death before he
Michael over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9). Of course, was resurrected as is explained in Romans 6:9–11:
Michael rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord and . . . knowing that Christ, having been raised from the
that ceased the discourse. dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion
Therefore, we do see God the Father exercising over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin
supreme authority, but one cannot deny that there once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
was a claim of authority that Satan believed he had Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed
over the fallen. It was one that even our Messiah did to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our LORD.
not directly rebuke at the time (though He rebuked So the actual dominion that even Messiah was
Satan’s request to be worshiped). temporarily subjected to (via the cross) was sin and
This idea of Satan having dominion on earth death. The Bible is also expressively clear that mankind
is seen again when Paul wrote of how man can be is under this same dominion, but this changes when
delivered from Satan’s domain via the redemption one is born again. Romans 6:14 explains:
offered through Messiah in Colossians 1:13–14: For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and not under law but under grace.
conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, The Bible, with redundancy, reinforces this point of
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the Messiah having dominion. 1 Peter 4:11 states:
forgiveness of sins. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
So clearly, the dominion, which was active on If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability
earth, was one of darkness and one of death by the which God supplies, that in all things God may be
time Messiah arrived. And we know that death is glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the
the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26), glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
and Messiah came to destroy the works of the devil (1 This passage teaches that it is the way of the
John 3:8), which is sin and consequently death. believer to glorify the Lord with every thought, word
It then follows that earth, which is under the and action. This demonstrates that the born again
domain of sin and death was therefore under some are in submission to another dominion, for all the
kind of domain of Satan. This is consistent with Satan believers’ acts are done in the service of another not in
having a throne on earth and Satan believing he had the service of self, or in the service of furthering their
the authority to offer the kingdoms of the world to own dominion or reign. And according to this passage
Messiah during the period of temptation. However, in 1 Peter, it is Messiah to whom this dominion, in
the Bible is clear that Satan cannot move outside of which the born again belong.
the will of God (Job 1:12). 1 Peter continues in 5:10–11:
However, this occurrence still does no good to But may the God of all grace, who called us to His
man’s own claim of a dominion mandate for ourselves. eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered
Man’s dominion is noticeably absent in these post-Fall a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
discussions of dominion, powers, death, and sin. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and
After the Fall, the battle is between the dominion ever. Amen.
of darkness and then the dominion of Messiah. In
the New Covenant Scriptures we clearly see the Messiah has Dominion
developed theme of Adam’s dominion being lost to sin, It is a difficult notion to successfully argue, at
death, and darkness by Adam at the Fall, and then this point, that man has dominion, when the Bible
Messiah (the last Adam) restoring what was lost and says Yeshua, the Messiah has dominion. It would be
establishing an eternal dominion and kingdom that equally difficult to argue that God is mandating man
cannot fail. to take dominion—for are we to wrestle it away from
The biblical narrative, from start to finish, the Messiah He sent? Certainly not.
certainly develops this concept and we see something It certainly seems the biblical narrative teaches
happen to the dominion of darkness that was ushered that God recognized Adam’s failure to sustain a good
in after the Fall. In the Scriptures, written in the dominion, and He gave it to His Son whom He knows
post-resurrection time, there is a common theme will successfully do what Adam failed to do.
that a dominion of Messiah has been established, Furthermore, unsaved man is in enslaved to sin
for Ephesians 1:22–23 states that all things are put (Romans 6:6). This is to say sin has dominion and
under the feet of Messiah. authority over unrepentant man.
10 D. Isaacs

The gospel is that Messiah frees the repentant Please note that Kulikovsky is only engaged here
sinner from this bondage and takes the born again because he conveniently presented the exact opposite
out from the dominion of sin and darkness and places position to what is presented in this paper. Therefore,
them in the kingdom and dominion of our Lord. it is helpful for the reader to see an opposing view and
John records that this domain of Messiah is forever to be able to go read the entire Kulikovsky article for
established. Revelation 1:5–6 states: a compare and contrast.
. . . and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the Kulikovsky argues that mankind rules over
firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings creation, and that creation exists for the benefit of
of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from man. He wrote:
our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and As noted in a previous article, human beings are
priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and subject to God, while the rest of the creation is
dominion forever and ever. Amen. subject to mankind and exists for our benefit. In
Yeshua’s dominion is forever. It will never fail, it is other words, God rules over mankind, who rules
firmly established and it will never be handed over over the rest of creation. (cf. Psalm 8) (Kulikovsky
to darkness and death like Adam’s dominion. And 2012, p. 46).
those who are born again, have been removed from But the Kulikovsky answer of man ruling over
the former dominion of sin and placed into Messiah’s the Creation does not line up with the Bible. He
dominion (Romans 6:14). references Psalm chapter 8 as a proof text, but he
Therefore, apart from the Savior, it is not man’s misunderstands it. Psalm 8:6 states:
dominion which fallen man is under; it is the dominion You have made him to have dominion over the works of
of sin. Sin and death came from the Curse, which was Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, . . .
the work of Satan in which Messiah came to destroy This passage is not about mankind; it is referring
(1 John 3:8). to the coming Jewish Messiah. This is confirmed by
As a point of clarification, this dominion of Rabbi Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:27 when he quotes
Messiah should not be misconstrued as endorsing Psalm 8:6 when he is speaking of the Messiah and
amillenialism, or a preteryst theology. The literal the dominion that He has. Paul wrote:
1,000 year reign is still to come. For “He has put all things under His feet. . . .”
In fact, in the book of Job, God, Himself went
Old Testament Displays of Power through great lengths to point out how man does not
The Old Testament is a foundational Scripture rule over creation:
upon which all the New Testament is built. It is one Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook,
that constructs precept upon precept, covenant upon Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?
covenant and looks forward to the completion and Can you put a reed through his nose,
eternal fulfillment of the Torah and the prophets Or pierce his jaw with a hook?
through Messiah’s life, death, and resurrection. Once Will he make many supplications to you?
the fall of Adam was complete and man’s greatness Will he speak softly to you?
was lost, Scripture immediately began building Will he make a covenant with you?
toward the greatness of Messiah (Genesis 3:15). Will you take him as a servant forever? (Job 41:1–4)
Therefore, the various acts of power of the Old Lay your hand on him;
Testament prophets should not be misconstrued as Remember the battle—
Adam’s dominion being displayed, for that is defunct, Never do it again! (Job 41:8)
but rather miraculous acts are precursors to and for The entire point the Lord made to Job is that man
the coming Messiah and His dominion. is wholly impotent to rule this creature, even while
Therefore, the Jewish Messiah was positioned from using extreme force. The Lord tells Job, that the very
Genesis 3:15 forward, to be the Deliverer from the thing Kulikovsky is arguing for, is the very thing man
domain of sin and death (Romans 11:26) which Adam is powerless to do. It is evident that sin fundamentally
wrought. The plan of God was never aimed to reestablish changed the dominion relationship between man and
Adam’s dominion—man’s dominion. Rather, it was beast and man no longer rules over the beast.
to establish and sustain the preeminence of Messiah
(Colossians 1:18) and His dominion forever and ever. Was Creation “Very Good?”
Kulikovsky argues that in the beginning, before the
An Opposing View of Dominion Fall of Adam, that there was a rebellious tendency to
In an article in the Journal of Creation, Andrew S. the Creation itself. He argues that having dominion
Kulikovsky argues that the dominion mandate was over the Creation meant that Adam was commanded
established by God, and that it was a commandment by God, to be aggressive and conquer a less than
which is still enforced today. willing original creation.
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 11

He is pulling this concept from the micro-analysis It should be noted that it is a mainstay of the young-
of both kâbash (subdue) and râdâh (dominion) in the earth creation model, that all such struggle with
Genesis 1:28 passage which states: nature was a result of the Fall. This bizarre stance
“. . . Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue of Kulikovsky finds itself an eager bedfellow with
(kâbash) it, have dominion (râdâh) over . . .” Hugh Ross’s ideas that the result of sin wasn’t really
The definitions of kâbash and râdâh do contain that drastic. Even more alarming is that it places
coercive, forceful elements. Meaning, the language survival of the fittest before the Fall, for hostility is
implied that Adam could, by shear force implement not hostility if it does not end with one will surviving
his will on all of his subjects through aggressive the opposition of another.
domination. And because Adam had this ability, By Kulikovsky positioning creation as being
Kulikovsky concludes that the “very good” Creation initially hostile to Adam, he argues, perhaps
must have been obstinate and uncooperative from the unwittingly, that the original very good creation was
beginning. actually in need of improvement (digging drainage
He cites the Theological Wordbook of the Old ditches). Such a low view of God’s creation, and its
Testament as the authority to confirm this accusation ability to not completely provide for Adam’s needs is
of the Lord’s work. alarming. For it lessens the sin of eating from the
kabas assumes that the party being subdued is hostile to tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because Adam
the subduer [emphasis added], necessitating some sort may have argued he ate out of need, and not out of
of coercion if the subduing is to take place . . . Therefore selfishness. This could place the fault at God’s hands
“subdue” in Genesis 1:28 implies that creation will not for not providing a suitable environment for Adam
do man’s bidding gladly or easily and that man must that allowed for perfect obedience.
now bring creation into submission by main strength Furthermore, Kulikovsky’s idea that the original
(Harris, Archer, and Waltke 1980, p. 430). dominion implied the instruction to dig irrigation
Kulikovsky clearly indicates, by using this trenches, develop mechanisms to pump water onto
commentary as a proof text, that the Creation was unproductive, hard soils needing fertilization flies in
hardwired, from the beginning, to resist the dominion the face of what we learn happens in Genesis 3:19,
of Adam. One should note, that it the Creation was where only then, after sin, did the need to farm by the
originally hostile to Adam, then it would have been “sweat of the brow” become a reality.
dangerous to Adam. For, hostility does not exist Therefore, Kulikovsky’s conclusions, no matter how
without the threat of danger. sound he thinks his exegesis of the Hebrew words are,
Furthermore, the commentary he stakes his and no matter how many people he gets to confirm
argument on makes it abundantly clear that this his starting position, land him in a thorny theological
hostility was present in Genesis 1:28, which is before place. For Kulikovsky’s outcomes are disastrous for
the Fall. the biblical model of a very good God, and very good
Kulikovsky then cites, two other sources of his creation.
choosing which he believes echo a similar point A quick use of logic would have saved Kulikovsky
Koehler et al. (1994–2000) and VanGemeren (1997). and his theological brethren from making the poor
He then fleshes out this concept of a resistant conclusion that hostility was present before the Fall.
creation and what it inherently means. Due to his Yes, it is true that the Hebrew words for dominion
belief that the original creation was hostile to Adam, and subdue give the ability to enforce. However, to be
these scenarios that Kulikovsky lays out would have given a power to rule does not imply that which is to
been applicable before the Fall with his view (which is be ruled to be unruly. To be given the power to control
shared by many theologians, may I add). does not mean that, which is to be controlled, has a
What is in view here is for humanity to manipulate predisposition to be uncontrollable.
the created order so that it better serves our needs As an example, one could give the instruction to an
and purposes (Kulikovsky 2012, p. 45). artist to shape an object through force, manipulation,
Exercising human dominion would imply working and coercion to the desired outcome of the artist. The
hard ground by breaking it up, aerating the soil in instruction implies that the artist has every right to
order to allow seed germination, and adding fertilizers force upon the object any desire the artist so wishes.
(Kulikovsky 2012, p. 45). The artist has the right of both kâbash (subdue) and
Therefore, exercising dominion implies that we râdâh (dominion) over the object in which the artist
force the water to flow to places where it would not is shaping.
normally flow. This could be achieved by digging But the amount and intensity of the force that is
irrigation trenches or using a mechanism to pump the necessary is directly a result of the resistance of the
water though [sic] pipes to the required destination object. A soft, pliable, pure, supple, moist lump of
(Kulikovsky 2012, p. 45). clay, which responds to every motion of the potter
12 D. Isaacs

would make the force needed minimal, and the dominion solely by the grace of God. Furthermore,
effort to subdue nearly forgettable. Yet, force and the model of kingship here presupposed is Israelite,
coercion still exist, but the object responds willingly. according to which, the monarch does not possess
Therefore, the force used is only one of volition, and unrestrained power and authority; the limits of his
not one of struggle. And the result is a harmony rule are carefully defined and circumscribed by
between the potter and the clay, and the ruler and divine law, so that the kingship is to be exercised
the ruled. This type of harmony is what would have with responsibility and is subject to accountability.
been in place between Adam and the Creation before Moreover, man, the sovereign of nature, is conceived
the Fall. at this stage to be functioning within the context of a
Kulikovsky also argues that, in a post-Fall world, “very good” world in which the interrelationships of
that ownership over something must mean control organisms with their environment and with each other
over something. Again, this is fallacious. One does are entirely harmonious and mutually beneficial, an
not mean the other. Kulikovsky cites Psalm 115:16 idyllic situation that is clearly illustrated in Isaiah’s
that states the Creation was given to man (which vision of the ideal future king (Isaiah 11:1–9) (Sarna
happened in the pre-Fall Creation). From there he 1989, pp. 12–13).
concludes, without considering any context of the Note the understanding that dominion and rule
Fall, that man has control over creation. were products solely by the grace of God and one is
Again, one does not mean the other. If a donkey is accountable for that rule (and with accountability
given to a man it does not mean the donkey is going comes consequences). Also note how the very good
to walk whenever the man tugs the bridle (and if the Creation is in harmony with Adam, in every way,
donkey kicks its owner it would be the donkey that as opposed to Kulikovsky et al’s assertions that the
forces the owner to move). Just because this creation Creation would “not do man’s bidding gladly” even
is the mortal home of man it does not mean that the before the Fall. Traditionally, the young-earth model
home obeys man or that we can subdue it into not lines up with this Jewish perspective of a very good
having tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, creation.
lightning strikes, and the like. It is obvious that Furthermore, The JPS Torah Commentary,
the original sin of Adam changed man’s control and though not messianic in a sense that Yeshua was and
dominion was forfeited. is the Jewish Messiah, rightly connects the kind of
The exegetical error that Kulikovsky committed idyllic dominion granted to Adam to the dominion
was focusing on the smallest literary fragment while of Messiah, the last Adam. Isaiah 11:1–9 points to
disregarding the pre-eminent context of life before the redemption of mankind under the last Adam (a
the fall. In biblical studies one cannot dissect the phrase revealed in the new covenant Scriptures 1
smallest unit, without any regard to the whole, and Corinthians 15:45), and foretells of a future authority
then infer judgments on the whole and expect a sound that will have all dominion with an environment
outcome. where the wolf dwells with the lamb, the leopard lies
To be preoccupied with the smallest units of literary down with the young goat, and the calf is next to the
tradition may have its purposes; but the exercise is lion. It is an environment where a child plays over the
ultimately of limited value. A totality—things in hole of a cobra and nothing shall be hostile. It is the
combination—often possess properties and engenders environment where the child leads the lion and the
qualities neither carried by nor necessarily inherent calf together. The child exhibits true dominion that
in any of its discrete components (Sarna 1989, the creatures obey. That is the picture of what the
p. xvi). original dominion, given to Adam would have been
It is useful to offer a competing Hebraic commentary like. Yet, in today’s world, that lion eats the child and
to the texts Kulikovsky offered. Note how the JPS the calf.
Torah Commentary involves the context of not only Clearly, without any hesitation, if a mind has not
the opening lines of Genesis, but understanding surrendered to peer pressure, everyone should easily
what the book of Genesis is, on a whole, and how recognize that Adam’s dominion has failed and is
that helps them understand properly the units. It defunct.
even brings an understanding of the Messiah into Ultimately, Kulikovsky’s approach to man’s
the discussion. dominion mirrors the original sin to exalt ourselves.
They shall rule The verbs used here and in verse 28 It conveniently forgets that at the entrance of Adam’s
express the coercive power of the monarch, consonant sin mankind went from makers of the law to those
with explanation just given for “the image of God.” under a law, and from those who had grace to those
This power, however, cannot include the license to who need grace. It is quite an incredulous conclusion
exploit nature banefully, for the following reasons: the to believe that those condemned under the law are the
human race is not inherently sovereign, but enjoys its ones with the dominion.
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 13

A Redeemed Dominion things before, but through Messiah’s name, a new

A deeper issue is this: does the dominion of Messiah, dominion, a new authority was given which allowed
in whom those who are born again now belong, allow them to tread down on the enemy and on things in the
the believer to exercise the dominion of Messiah while natural that would do harm to them.
still on earth? Obviously, if the Adamic dominion was still intact,
The key is understanding from whom this dominion the Messiah would not have needed to give them the
came. The original dominion given to Adam has power, through His name, to exercise dominion. If the
ceased to exist and did not survive the great offense Adamic dominion was still intact, the 70 would not
against God. Fallen man has no claim, stake, or power have been astonished that the demons were subjected
of dominion, for those condemned are enslaved to the to them. If the Adamic dominion was still intact,
dominion of death and darkness, as every believer they would not have needed the new power, through
once was. Yeshua’s name, to tread down upon serpents and
However, for the born again, for those who have scorpions.
tasted the heavenly gift, and have been redeemed Let us not forget that one of the definitions of
into the perfection of Messiah, their citizenship is râdâh, the word for dominion in Genesis, is to tread
found in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and have become down upon nature. It is no mere coincidence that the
one body in Messiah (1 Corinthians 12:12). The born Messiah, the last Adam, invoked similar language
again have been given the birthright of being heirs and it is no mere coincidence that the 70 made it
with Him (Romans 8:17). This is a new dominion known that this dominion came only through the
perfectly established through Yeshua. name of Yeshua. This is messianic evidence, from
The question can now arise; does this dominion the mouth of Yeshua, that any dominion of man now
translate now to the believer while still finishing the must be through the name of Messiah, and through
race in this fallen world? His dominion.
The Bible confirms that it does, but there is a
proviso the size of a mustard seed. This condition Was Adam Responsible for a Moral Law of God
is faith, which is exercised within the will of God. before the Fall?
Peter could walk on the water, with faith in Yeshua, Is it possible that Adam had other moral
which is trusting that Yeshua had rule/dominion over responsibilities that he was accountable for, like the
everything (Matthew 14:29–32). It was not by Peter’s keeping of the Sabbath, as it has been suggested to this
own dominion in which he walked upon the water; author? This might seem like a fair question at face
it was accomplished through Messiah. And when value, because in Genesis 2:3 we see the Lord blessing
Peter’s faith in Messiah failed, so did the walking on the Sabbath day and making it holy. However, there
the water. is not a responsibility to Adam for the keeping of the
Therefore, Peter could not exercise his own Sabbath, nor were there any other additional moral
dominion, but through faith, Yeshua could exercise instructions, or law, in which he was responsible.
His in Peter. This is confirmed in Matthew 17:19–20 It is not proper exegesis to retrofit the Ten
in the well-known mustard seed comparison where Commandments or the other mitzvot into the first
faith could even enable dominion over mountains. two chapters of Genesis before the Fall. One must
This new dominion is recorded in the gospel of remember what the commandments of God revealed.
Luke: The Apostle Paul, the Jewish Rabbi in the New
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, Covenant Scriptures explained that through the law
even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).
He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Yet, Adam and Eve, before Genesis 3:6, had no
heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample knowledge of sin, because they had not eaten of the
on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore,
the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. there could not have been a so called “law of God”
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are that went any further than the singular instruction
subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17–20). because the known existence of a deeper moral law
Upon the return of the 70, we see astonishment would have presupposed a knowledge of sin on Adam
that even demons are in subjection to them through and Eve’s part.
the name of Yeshua. The Messiah answered them We must accept the plain reading of the text and
and said He had given them the authority to tread surmise that the moral responsibility Adam had to
down upon serpents and scorpions (the natural world God, in its totality before the Fall, was confined to
as well). The astonishment from the 70 came because one instruction: do not eat of the tree of the knowledge
the people recognized they had no dominion over these of good and evil (Genesis 2:16). To assume further
14 D. Isaacs

responsibility would assume a deeper law. To assume something a human does. This is the functional view
a deeper law would cause Adam and Eve to have a (Erickson 2009, p. 520).
knowledge of sin, because Romans 3:20 states that Some respected texts simply state the Bible does
“. . . for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Therefore, not teach us what exactly is the Image of God.
where there is no sin, there can be no Law. Christian thinkers have tried to locate the image of
Even more, if we apply further moral responsibilities God (Imago Dei) in various dimensions of man’s being,
to Adam, then we must account for penance for their including man’s spirit, soul, rationality, will mind,
failures, and that would have meant sacrifices, for a personhood, immortality, and even his physical body.
blood sacrifice is required for the forgiveness of sin But Scripture is not specific as to exactly what it is
(Hebrews 9:22). And a blood sacrifice, occurring before about man that constitutes the image of God (Brand,
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is eaten Draper, Butler, and England 2003, pp. 806–807).
from, is unthinkable within the biblical landscape. Because the image of God has been a source of such
speculation, it is not a wise practice to use one’s own
Dominion and The Image of God view of the image of God to shape other important
A few have tried to combine the image of God doctrines. It is best to take what is clear to understand
and man’s dominion into one idea. But, we must be the vague, rather than to take the vague to confuse
careful not to allow beliefs about the image of God to the clear.
overburden our understanding of man’s dominion.
Schleiermacher speaks of the image as human Conclusion
domination over nature, a view expounded in more There is biblical evidence that God fundamentally
recent days by Hans Wolff and L. Verdium (Elwell changed man’s relationship with the animal kingdom
2009, p. 733). after the Flood. There is biblical evidence that nature
Though the image of God and the dominion of man was changed after the Fall in Genesis 3:17 that made
are related in some respects, they are not synonymous. nature an obstacle to man. There is naturalistic
Adam’s dominion was an appointment to a position; evidence that nature is an obstacle to man. There is
whereas the image of God was a condition of man’s naturalistic evidence that the animal kingdom does
creation. Therefore, this paper correctly treats the not recognize man’s authority or dominion. There is
two separately and appropriately addresses dominion biblical evidence that animals do not recognize any
without needing to explain the image. dominion of man. There is biblical evidence that sin
However, in saying that, if one believes a discussion and death have dominion in the fallen world. There
on man’s dominion cannot be had without a discussion is naturalistic evidence that everything in nature
on the image of God, then that person does not dies even when opposed to the wish of man. There
understand either. Let us not deceive ourselves on is biblical evidence that Satan has a throne, claims
this matter. Many pastors, professors, and teachers authority, and sin and death are connected to his
speak of the image of God with a confidence as if they works.
really know what it is. But too often that is a false There is biblical evidence that this dominion of death
bravado. is ultimately defeated by the dominion of Messiah,
Unfortunately, Scripture never says in so many which was established by God. There is biblical
words what is meant by the highly intriguing term evidence that those who become born again are then
“the image of God” (Luter 2008, p. 247) transferred from the dominion of sin and death into
No matter how confident someone sounds when the dominion of Messiah, and forego the judgment of
they are speaking of the image of God, the truth is wrath. So inclusion into the dominion of Messiah is
most draw a blank on what really is the image of what relieves all the previous powers, dominions, and
God. This is why Millard Erickson speaks of differing judgments that fallen man was subjected to.
views and theories on the matter. There is biblical evidence that through the name of
There are three general ways of viewing the nature Messiah, and through His dominion, both the natural
of the image. Some consider the image to consist of and the supernatural are in subjection to redeemed
certain characteristics within the very nature of the man when there is faith. There is biblical evidence
human, either physical or psychological/spiritual. that in the Messianic kingdom to follow that the child
This view we will call the substantive view of the shall lead the lion, and a fattened calf, demonstrating
image. Others regard the image not as something the animal kind recognizing the child’s dominion,
inherently or intrinsically present in humans, but as through the Messiah. There is naturalistic evidence
the experiencing of a relationship between the human that in the current life a child is killed by such
and God, or between two or more humans. This is predators and disobeyed by calves, thereby refuting
the relational view. Finally, some consider the image the idea of the child having a dominion over the
to be, not something a human is or experiences, but animal kingdom in this life.
Is There a Dominion Mandate? 15

The biblical sequence of dominion then is as Bates, G. 2010. Alien intrusion. Brisbane, Australia: Creation
follows: Book Publishers.
Adam was given dominion over the animal kind Brand, C., C. W. Draper, T. C. Butler, and A. England.
eds. 2003. Image of God. In Holman illustrated Bible
and creation. He then forfeited that dominion to Satan,
dictionary, pp. 806–807. Nashville, Tennessee: Holman
sin and death, which is also called the dominion of
Bible Publishers.
darkness. This happened when Adam disobeyed Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. 2008. The Brown-
the command of God to not eat of the tree of the Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English lexicon, 12th printing.
knowledge of good and evil. Due to Adam’s sin, God Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers.
changed man’s relationship with nature and animals Drews, K. 2012. Cougar tears man’s pants during attack on
so that neither animals, nor nature, recognize fallen west coast. Huffpost British Columbia, December 9, 2012.
man’s dominion. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/12/
Messiah then came and claimed victory over the cougar-attack-mans-pants_n_1878928.html.
dominion of death and sin and God placed everything Elwell, W. 2009. Evangelical dictionary of theology. Ada,
Michigan: Baker Book House.
under the feet of the Lord the Messiah who
Erickson, M. J. 2009. Christian theology, 2nd ed. Ada,
demonstrated dominion over nature and animals. Michigan: Baker Academic.
Then, when one is born again, they are transferred Harris, R. L., G. L. Archer, Jr., and B. K. Waltke. 1980.
from the dominion of death, into the dominion of Theological wordbook of the Old Testament, vol. 1. Chicago,
the Messiah. The born again is never to establish Illinois: Moody Press.
their own dominion, nor can they, but they serve the Koehler, L., W. Baumgartner, M. Richardson, and J. J. Stamm.
dominion of Messiah forever and ever. 1994–2000. The Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old
It is possible, through faith, to operate within Testament, 5 vols. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill.
the dominion of Yeshua for the born again believer. Kulikovsky, A. 2012. Human dominion and reproduction.
Journal of Creation 26, no. 1:43–47.
However, the unrepentant sinner has no dominion,
Last, J. V. 2012. How killer whales become killers. The Wall
rule, or authority of their own, and remains in bondage Street Journal, August 2, 2012. Retrieved from http://
to the domain of darkness, which controls their lives online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444873204577
and destiny. 536963107904328.html.
This understanding of dominion, as laid out in Ludlow, R. 2012. Union County man killed by bull. The
this paper, rings in perfect harmony with the gospel. Columbus Dispatch, September 7, 2012. Retrieved from
For all are lost under the curse of sin. Then, through http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/07/
Messiah alone, are all redeemed. The preeminence of bull-kills-man.html.
Messiah is supreme. Luter, B. 2008. God, image of. In The popular encyclopedia
of apologetics, ed. E. Hinson and E. Caner, p. 247. Eugene,
Therefore, the dominion mandate, which states
Oregon: Harvest House.
that all mankind has a standing command or order
McMurray, J. 2011. Young girl survives cougar attack in
to have dominion over the earth, due to the dominion Kananaskis. Calgary Sun, August 2, 2011. Retrieved
granted to Adam, is not a biblically supported idea. from http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/08/02/young-girl-
survives-cougar-attack-in-kananaskis.
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Anonymous 2012a. Australian zookeeper stable after attack Dog-Bites-Three-Year-Girl-158801035.html.
by elephant. CNN, October 20, 2012. Retrieved from http:// Owen, J. 2003. Leopard seal kills scientist in Antarctica.
www.cnn.com/2012/10/20/world/asia/australia-elephant- National Geographic News, August 6, 2003. Retrieved from
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Pittsburgh Zoo. CNN, November 4, 2012. Retrieved from Roberts, M. 2009. 12-foot python kills toddler. Examiner,
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Anonymous. 2012c. Man mauled to death by captive Sarfati, J. 2002. Will scientists create new life forms—and what
grizzly in Montana. Fox news, November 5, 2012. would it prove? Retrieved from http://creation.com/will-
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16 D. Isaacs

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Nashville, Tennessee: Royal Publishers. to blame for environment problems. Retrieved from
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