This post is from a series of blogs related to Matthew Scully’s book, Dominion.*For the previous post in this series, please click here.



Below are some basic thoughts about dominion from the B-I-B-L-E:


As you may know, there are two accounts of Creation. (One is in Genesis 1:1-2:7 and one is in Genesis 2:8-2:25.)

The first account is a more linear, straight-forward telling. It follows a poetic formula, repeating phrases like “So the evening and the morning were the first day” and “And God saw that it was good.” This first account is where we see the word “dominion”. 

The term “dominion” in this case is the Hebrew verb “radah,” which means to “rule over.”  This word is used 27 times in the King James Version of the Bible.

Of these times:

• Several of them (for example, Leviticus 25:43, 25:46, 25:53) use the word “dominion” in a sentence that calls for “rule” over humans without harshness, severity or cruelty.
• Several of them (for example, Leviticus 26:17, Nehemiah 9:28 and Isaiah 14:2) use the word “dominion” in reference to the rule of conquering enemies over a people group.
• Several (Psalm 49:14 and Psalm 72:8, and Isaiah 41:2) use the word “dominion” as a privilege given to those who are righteous or just.
• One (1 Kings 4:24) refers to the rule of Solomon, whose dominion is described as having “peace on all sides round about him.”
• One (Jeremiah 5:31) refers to the rule of priests.
• One, Ezekiel 34:3 is a judgment on Israel for ruling with cruelty.

(For a list of all the places this word—translated “dominion”—is used, click here.)

So what do YOU get from this list?

1.       The word dominion did not include an implication of cruelty (as it was specifically mentioned in several verses that it should be exercised without cruelty).

2.       Dominion was often given to those who acted justly.

3.       Dominion could include not only aggressive “rule” but times of “peace” or oversight by priests.

Some experts believe the word “dominion” means to “descend” or “go down”–implying the ruler goes down and walks among his subjects as a benevolent leader.

Sorta like this guy named…Jesus.

For more observations related to Dominion, continuing following the blog here.

*See “shop local” under blog categories at sarahcunningham.org for more information.