Genesis 1:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

‘And have dominion,’ He commands, ‘over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’ Observe the incredible authority granted! Witness the greatness of this stewardship! Notice how all living things are subject to man? Do not underestimate this intelligent being; rather, reflecting on the honor bestowed upon it and the Lord's grace, marvel at His boundless humanity.

He commanded: ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ because it was essential during a time when nature was agitated and unable to withstand the weight of passions, having no sanctuary amid such turmoil. What else could have been ordained? To pursue a life of abstinence and chastity? This path would surely lead to a dire downfall, intensifying the flame of desires. If infants, reliant solely on milk, were deprived of their nourishment and compelled to consume adult food, they would quickly face death. Such is the danger of mistimed deprivation. Thus, chastity was not promoted initially; or to more accurately express it, chastity revealed itself in the beginning and before marriage, and subsequently, for the aforementioned reasons, marriage became essential, although it would not have been necessary had Adam remained obedient. How, then, do you inquire, would so many generations come to be? If this concern continues to trouble you, I will inquire again: How did Adam, as did Eve, come into existence without the institution of marriage? Could all humanity have originated in this manner? Either way, I will not dwell on this; it is clear that God had no requirement for marriage to bring forth humanity on earth.

Now it is not the capacity of marriage that increases our lineage, but the command of the Lord uttered in the beginning, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’

This belief is supported by the fact that prior to the fall, there were no children of this age. As the Lord indicates, children of this age are conceived and born, and in light of the promise of eternal life, this corporeal generation is to be regarded with disdain.

A question arises: Does humanity truly possess dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all living creatures, especially when many beasts harm humans and numerous birds cause distress to those trying to evade or capture them? How, then, does dominion manifest? Those pondering this aspect should first acknowledge that they reflect upon humanity's state post-fall, as in this life, humans are condemned to mortality and have forfeited the perfection of being created in God's image. Nevertheless, despite this condemnation, humanity still maintains authority over many animals. Even though various creatures can kill due to human frailty, none can domesticate him; yet, humanity has the capacity to tame most, if not all. Thus, if even in judgment humanity retains such power, what can we surmise about the dominion promised by God to the restored and liberated individual?

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If we consider the purpose for which this companion was designed, what other logical explanation could we have than that she was intended for the bearing of offspring, akin to how the earth aids the seed, allowing a plant to grow from their union? This is reflected in the initial act of creation expressed in the words: Male and female He created them. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen. 1:27-28). This concept of creation and the union of man and woman, along with the blessing, persisted even after the fall and its consequences. Consequently, the earth is now populated with those who inhabit it. While it may be noted that they engaged in intimate relations and began to bear children post-expulsion from paradise, I see no justification for concluding that their marriage was not honorable or their intimacy pure while they were still in paradise (Hebrews 13:4). Had they remained faithful and righteous, diligently serving God in holiness, their progeny could have been conceived in accordance with God's intention, without the lustful passion or the pains and complications associated with childbirth. Their offspring would not have replaced dying parents; instead, the parents would remain in their prime, drawing vitality from the tree of life in Paradise, a condition extended to their descendants until, when the designated number of souls was achieved, they would undergo a transformation (if they all lived justly and obediently) so that their mortal bodies, transformed beyond death, would attain a spiritual quality, serving the spirit and thriving by it, revitalized without physical nourishment. All of this might have transpired had they not incurred the penalty of death through their transgression of God’s command.

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We do not believe that the spouses placed in paradise were required to fulfill what God commanded in blessing, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, through lust, a feeling for which they later felt shame and covered themselves. This lust came into existence post-fall; after sin, the nature that had not been shameless but lost the original power, became conscious of this lust, felt shame, and sought to cover it. Although the marital blessing—to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth—endures even among those who have erred, it was given prior to their disobedience to illustrate that procreation glorifies marriage rather than being a consequence of sin.

This is true for horses, dogs, eagles, swans, and every creature you name: starting from a tiny form at conception, they advance in growth and eventually reach maturity, only to later experience a decline as they age. This reflects the inherent commonality given to us by God. “Grow,” that is, develop (τρεφεσθε). Born in a modest state, you mature and ultimately fulfill your growth. While you may flourish in the first seven years and again in the next, it is not required that each seven-year period reflects the same pattern throughout life. The initial seven years encompass childhood, with clear markers such as the loss and replacement of teeth. The second period, adolescence, extends to age fourteen: first as a child, then transitioning to a youth. After fourteen, a young man evolves into a husband. These delineate the phases of growth. Thus, "grow." You may reach the age of one hundred, yet growth won't persist unchanged from year one to one hundred. This divinely articulated word embodies the journey of our existence. "Grow!" But until when? There is no definitive measure of growth. At the moment of conception, the foundations for development are established. Subsequent stages do not introduce something entirely new. Within the womb, the developing child acquires all necessary elements for growth. When the teeth begin to fall, it signals that development has reached a particular threshold. A parent gauging their three-year-old knows they will likely double in height by the end of this period, and indeed, they will experience another doubling in height shortly thereafter. This expresses the parameters of human nature until fully matured, transitioning from the first seven years to the second. During this period, growth accelerates, bodies become leaner, softness diminishes, and strength builds in the limbs. Individuals enter a phase of youthful vigor, not yet fully matured or prepared for labor. At this point, they exhibit agility and movement. In the third seven-year cycle, growth continues to its maximum; the body elongates. After this third period, as nature, weary from vertical growth, regains equilibrium, it begins to expand laterally, bringing balance to the previously stretched form, ensuring strength in all bodily parts. Such is how nature unfolds according to its divine design (ακολουθια). From the beginning, it was established by the Lord’s will, and this foundational truth guides all of creation until the end. “Be fruitful and multiply.” “Grow,” so that creation is not limited to one state. “Multiply,” for creation is intended for many, not for one. “Fill the earth.” “Fill” implies more than mere occupancy; it means to fill it with the strengths God has bestowed upon us, empowering us to govern the earth. “Fill the earth” means a fertile, cultivated expanse, not barren or inhospitable. It signifies that we are to fill it with our stewardship, guided by a divine plan. Even in exploring the desolate and unmanageable areas, such as the deeply frozen northern territories, do we not still fulfill the command to fill the earth? As we select what is beneficial, we often disregard the unproductive. Hence, “fill the earth” establishes our dominion. Our mastery over the earth doesn’t wane just because some areas prove ineffective for human life. When purchasing bread, do you not possess it all, despite some being inedible? Do you not discard stones for their lack of value? And if something unsuitable is mixed with the food, do you not remove the chaff that does not sustain life? Likewise, with land: some areas are deemed fit for living, others for agriculture, while some are set aside for grazing animals. Tell me, can I not arrange all things according to my will, for I was created as a ruler by the gift of the Lord? “You shall be fruitful, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the earth.” Here lies God's blessing, His command, and the dignity bestowed upon us. The Lord, who has thoughtfully guided the compilation of the Scriptures and enabled our humble voices to convey these truths, may He grant you abundant blessings from this seemingly simple message; may He bestow upon us the full measure of our labors and grant you the perfect fruit of engaging with His Word, for His power and glory endure forever. Amen.

This suggests that the sin entering the world had a somewhat beneficial result, given that humanity would have remained confined to the glory of the first created if not for the fear of death compelling them to procreate. However, the true understanding of this doctrine, accessible to those initiated into the mysteries of paradise like Paul, reveals that the Sadducees once debated the concept of resurrection. They pointed to a woman who had been married to seven brothers, inquiring as to whose wife she would be in the resurrection. The Lord addressed this query, not only correcting the Sadducees but also enlightening future generations about the mystery of life after resurrection, stating: “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Mt. 22:30), “nor can they die anymore; for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Lk. 20:36). The promise of resurrection offers nothing less than the restoration of the fallen to their original state, signifying a return to a life devoid of the expulsion from paradise. Thus, if the life of the restored is akin to that of angels, it is clear that existence prior to the fall resembled a form of angelic life. This explains why a return to our original state is compared to that of the angels. Yet, although angels do not marry, the multitude of angels is vast, as recounted in Daniel's visions. If we had not experienced transformation and a fall from our angelic state due to sin, we likewise would have had no need for marriage for procreation. However, the method of reproduction within angelic nature remains beyond human comprehension; yet it undoubtedly exists. It stands to reason that it could also occur among humans, “for You have made him a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:6), expanding the human race in accordance with the Creator's counsel. When one questions the origin of mankind, wondering whether marriage was essential, we can likewise question the nature of angels: how do they form countless multitudes while being one essence yet numerous? We respond that just as angels exist without marriage, so too could humanity have existed devoid of it before the fall. The restoration of humanity to this likeness supports this notion. Returning to our earlier inquiry, it is essential to ask why, following the creation of humanity in God's image, He established a distinction between male and female. The beginning we discussed is relevant here. The Creator who fashioned everything and shaped humanity in His image did not intend for the number of souls to reach fullness through gradual reproduction, but rather, by His foreknowledge, envisioned the entirety of human nature in its fullness, endowing it with a high and equal status akin to that of angels. Anticipating that human will would stray from the beauty of virtue and therefore fall from angelic equality, He devised a method of reproduction suitable for those who succumbed to sin, rather than upholding the dignity characteristic of angelic existence. This led to a way of mutual succession akin to that of beasts. Thus, it seems fitting that David mourned the plight of humanity, expressing, “Man is in honor, yet does not understand” (Ps. 48:21), referring to the equality with angels. He laments that humanity, in turning toward material desires, has become like the beasts.

There are two forms of growth: one pertains to the body, the other to the soul. The soul's growth comes through the pursuit of perfection, while bodily growth involves size increase. Therefore, God instructs unreasonable creatures to grow in physical maturity, but He commands us to develop in the inner man, progressing on the path leading to Him. This is illustrated by Paul, who, forgetting what lies behind, strives forward (Phil. 3:13).

From our previous discussions, it should not be concluded that we dismiss the sanctity of marriage, as we recognize it is indeed blessed by God. Marriage is sufficiently upheld by the innate desire for it seen in all who engage in procreation, and since virginity appears contrary to nature, it seems superfluous to further counsel or exhort regarding marriage when the natural inclination itself serves as its advocate. Every virtue must be understood as a balance, with deviation from it on either end being vice. Chastity represents the mean, and straying from it toward either extreme leads to vice. For those lacking steadfastness may fall prey to the passions of lust, and those who exceed the bounds of chastity wander into disgraceful desires. This is as the Apostle states, those who consider marriage a vile institution risk branding themselves with their own failings. We uphold the preference for marriage alongside a dedication to divine pursuits, yet we do not disregard those who can approach marriage with moderation and temperance.

Let us exercise control over the wild beasts. “Rule over every living thing” prompts an inquiry: how can I govern the creature within myself? Indeed, one might find a multitude of beasts internally. Consider not these words an affront. Anger can be viewed as a small beast; when it surges within the heart, does it not manifest as more savage than any dog? Does not the wicked soul resemble a fresh bait before a bear? Control your thoughts within, and you will become sovereign over all. He who granted us dominion over the creatures will likewise enable us to command ourselves.

Since the existence of voiceless creatures first entered this world, mankind has adopted aspects of their nature, including the method of birth. Thus, humanity also inherits traits from this silent realm. It is neither irritability nor fleeting pleasure that embodies divine likeness. Rather, fearfulness, bold ambition, desire for abundance, and aversion to scarcity are distant from the attributes of God. Therefore, these aspects of humanity are derived from the speechless nature residing within.

Though Adam was created and destined to inherit the earth along with all its inhabitants, God Himself resided in paradise. Thus, in blessing the forefather, God revealed His omniscience, and by placing him in paradise, He demonstrated His benevolence. To counter the notion that “paradise was not made for man,” God lived in paradise, and to refute the belief that “God was unaware of man's impending sin,” He blessed man on earth. Moreover, God blessed humanity prior to their disobedience to safeguard the blessing from being hindered by the fault of those endowed with it, to prevent the world from reverting to chaos due to the folly of the very beings for whom all creation exists. God did not bless humanity within paradise, for paradise itself and all it contains are inherently blessed. Rather, He offered blessings on earth before Adam entered paradise, so that this blessing, rooted in goodness, might diminish the weight of the curse that soon fell upon the land through divine justice. The promise was the essence of the blessing, fulfilled only after humanity's separation from paradise. Nonetheless, grace manifested fully when, on that very day, it placed man in paradise, adorned him with splendor, and granted him dominion over all the trees within paradise.

Yet, in His divine foreknowledge, which sees all things before they come into being (Dan. 13:42), God, aware that people might violate His commandments and face condemnation, established the union of husband and wife and commanded them to "be fruitful and multiply."

Moreover, He further stated, "Behold, I give you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth; and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food; and to every beast of the earth, to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food" (Gen. 1:26-30). It is evident that God relinquished all visible things, both on land and in the sea, to Adam and his progeny. What He communicated to Adam applies equally to all of us, just as He articulated to the Apostles, "What I say to you, I say to all" (Mark 13:37), for He was aware of the multiplication of humanity throughout generations to come. If humanity has expanded significantly after transgressing the divine command and facing death, one can only imagine the multitude that would exist if no one had ever died since creation. Consider the kind of existence they would have led if they were immortal and incorruptible, free from sin, grief, burdens, and pressing needs! Had they succeeded in adhering to divine commandments and refining their hearts, they would have ascended to the highest glory over time, drawing nearer to God, with each soul radiating light from the divine presence bestowed upon it. The physical body would transform, seeming almost immaterial and spiritual, transcending sensory limitations. The joy and elation stemming from our communion with one another would be beyond expression and comprehension. Yet, let us refocus on our central topic. Therefore, God gifted Adam the entire world, which He fashioned in six days. Regarding this creation, listen to the Divine Scripture: "And God saw all that He had made, and indeed it was very good".... "And on the sixth day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had accomplished" (Genesis 1:31-2:2).

However, those who conceive children with impure intentions taint this divine blessing with their own curse. The severity of such misuse evokes greater divine displeasure, especially considering the sanctity of God’s gift. The notion of polygamous relationships should not be misinterpreted as a directive that obligates individuals to have children. A similar blessing is granted to those who are unable to speak (Genesis 1:22), as this is not a mandate for them. Yet, God also proclaim His promises as commands, as He powerfully calls attention to their unfolding in our midst (Psalm 132:3). Created with the innate capacity for knowledge and action, humanity can discern its purpose. Moreover, God solemnly grants mankind the right to govern, which serves as a critical lesson, indicating that the true Sovereign over all creation is God; thus, individuals are called to exercise their dominion with complete fidelity and submission to His will. In terms of the cosmos, Adam is presented as the governor of the universe; the Son of God is designated as the heir to all things (Heb. 1:2).

The distinct variations among human tribes—whether in skin color, cranial structure, languages, education—can be readily understood through differences in environment, diet, lifestyles, cultural practices, hereditary conditions, the dispersal of groups, and the blending of languages. “And fill the earth.” As a result of this divine blessing, humanity is not only able to inhabit every part of the earth, but also creates mobile abodes upon the waters to navigate the vast oceans. “And have dominion over the earth, and possess the fishes....” Although sin has diminished man's authority over the creatures placed under his stewardship, it has not entirely stripped him of this ability. Even today, the intellect of humanity bends and commands various natural forces to its will. “Every nature of beasts,” states the apostle James, “and of birds, reptiles, and sea animals, is tamed and subdued by the nature of man” (James 3:7). Thus far, the inanimate world meets the diverse needs of humanity: through cultivation, the earth bears fruit; elements like water, fire, and air have been transformed by human ingenuity into tools serving a multitude of both spiritual and earthly purposes.