Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth."

◄ Genesis 1:28 ►

New International Version
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

New Living Translation
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

English Standard Version
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

King James Bible
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

New King James Version
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

New American Standard Bible
God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

NASB 1995
God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

NASB 1977
And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that creeps on the earth.”

Amplified Bible
And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Christian Standard Bible
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

American Standard Version
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Contemporary English Version
God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.

English Revised Version
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God blessed them and said, "Be fertile, increase in number, fill the earth, and be its master. Rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that crawl on the earth."

Good News Translation
blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.

International Standard Version
God blessed the humans by saying to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it! Be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, and every living thing that crawls on the earth!"

Majority Standard Bible
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

NET Bible
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground."

New Heart English Bible
And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the flying creatures of the sky, and over all the tame animals, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over all the creatures that crawl on the earth."

Webster's Bible Translation
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living animal that moveth upon the earth.

World English Bible
God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And God blesses them, and God says to them, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over [the] fish of the sea, and over [the] bird of the heavens, and over every living thing that is creeping on the earth.”

Young's Literal Translation
And God blesseth them, and God saith to them, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over every living thing that is creeping upon the earth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will praise them, and God will say to them, be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing creeping upon the earth.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God blessed them, and he said, “Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

New American Bible
God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth.

New Revised Standard Version
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild beasts that move upon the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the Sea, and over the fowl of Heaven, and over cattle, and over all animals that creep on the Earth.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And God blessed them; and God said unto them: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God blessed them, saying, Increase and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the seas and flying creatures of heaven, and all the cattle and all the earth, and all the reptiles that creep on the earth.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Sixth Day
…27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” 29Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 8:6-8
You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet: / all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, / the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Psalm 115:16
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Romans 8:19-22
The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. / For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ...

Hebrews 2:6-8
But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Ephesians 1:22
And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,

1 Corinthians 15:27
For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.

Revelation 5:10
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Jeremiah 27:5
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.

Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and oil, the young of your herds and the lambs of your flocks—in the land that He swore to your fathers to give you.

Leviticus 26:9
I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish My covenant with you.

Psalm 127:3-5
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. / Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. / Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.

Treasury of Scripture

And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

Genesis 1:22
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Genesis 8:17
Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

Genesis 9:1,7
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…

moveth.

Psalm 69:34
Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

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Genesis 1

1. God creates heaven and earth;
3. the light;
6. the firmament;
9. separates the dry land;
14. forms the sun, moon, and stars;
20. fishes and fowls;
24. cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things;
26. creates man in his own image, blesses him;
29. grants the fruits of the earth for food.

Berean Study Bible

God blessed them
The phrase "God blessed them" signifies a divine favor and empowerment bestowed upon humanity. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "בָּרַךְ" (barak), which implies a sense of endowment with purpose and potential. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blessings were often seen as a powerful force that enabled individuals to fulfill their roles and destinies. Here, God's blessing is foundational, setting the stage for humanity's role in creation.

and said to them
This phrase highlights the direct communication between God and humanity. The act of speaking indicates a personal relationship and conveys authority. In the Hebrew tradition, God's words are not merely informative but performative, meaning they bring about what they declare. This divine dialogue establishes the human vocation and responsibility in the world.

Be fruitful and multiply
"Be fruitful and multiply" is a command and a blessing, encouraging procreation and the expansion of human life. The Hebrew word for "fruitful" is "פָּרָה" (parah), which means to bear fruit or increase. This phrase underscores the importance of family and community in God's design. It reflects the abundance and life-giving nature of God's creation, inviting humanity to participate in this creative process.

and fill the earth
The command to "fill the earth" suggests a divine intention for humanity to inhabit and steward the entire planet. The Hebrew word "מָלֵא" (male) means to fill or replenish, indicating a dynamic process of spreading out and occupying the earth. This reflects God's desire for human presence and influence to extend globally, ensuring that His creation is cared for and cultivated.

and subdue it
The term "subdue" comes from the Hebrew word "כָּבַשׁ" (kabash), which means to bring into subjection or to harness. This phrase implies a responsible stewardship, where humanity is called to manage and cultivate the earth's resources. It is not a call to exploit but to govern wisely, reflecting God's order and care in creation.

rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth
The word "rule" is translated from the Hebrew "רָדָה" (radah), meaning to have dominion or to govern. This dominion is a stewardship role, where humanity is entrusted with the care and management of all living creatures. The specific mention of "fish," "birds," and "every creature" emphasizes the comprehensive scope of this responsibility. It reflects a hierarchical order in creation, where humans, made in God's image, are to reflect His character in their governance—exercising authority with wisdom, justice, and compassion.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 28. - And God blessed them. Not him, as LXX. As on the introduction of animal life the Divine Creator conferred on the creatures his blessing, so when the first pair of human beings are formed they are likewise enriched by their Creator's benediction. And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply. As in the case of the lower creatures the Divine blessing had respect in the first instance to the propagation and perpetuation of the species, "which blessing," says Calvin, "may be regarded as the source from which the human race has flowed," a thought in full accord with Scripture teaching generally (cf. Psalm 127:3); yet by making one man and one woman an important distinction was drawn between men and beasts as regards the development of their races and the multiplication of their kind (Malachi 2:7). "Carte fraenum viris et mulieribus non laxavit, at in vagus libidines ruerent, absque delectu et pudore; seda sancto castoque conjugio incipiens, descendit ad generationem" (Calvin). And replenish the earth. The new-created race was intended to occupy the earth. How far during the first age of the world this Divine purpose was realized continues matter of debate (Genesis 10.). After the Flood the confusion of tongues effected a dispersion of the nations over the three great continents of the old world. At the present day man has wandered to the ends of the earth. Yet vast realms lie unexplored, waiting his arrival. This clause may be described as the colonist's charter. And subdue it. The commission thus received was to utilize for his necessities the vast resources of the earth, by agricultural and mining operations, by geographical research, scientific discovery, and mechanical invention. And have dominion over the fish of the sea, etc. i.e. over the inhabitants of all the elements. The Divine intention with regard to his creation was thus minutely fulfilled by his investiture with supremacy over all the other works of the Divine hand. Psalm 8. is the "lyric echo" of this original sovereignty bestowed on man.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

God
אֱלֹהִים֒ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

blessed
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ (way·ḇā·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

them
אֹתָם֮ (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

and
אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to them,
לָהֶ֜ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

“Be fruitful
פְּר֥וּ (pə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6509: To bear fruit, be fruitful

and multiply,
וּרְב֛וּ (ū·rə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

and fill
וּמִלְא֥וּ (ū·mil·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

the earth
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and subdue it;
וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ (wə·ḵiḇ·šu·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3533: To subdue, bring into bondage

rule
וּרְד֞וּ (ū·rə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7287: To tread down, subjugate, to crumble off

over the fish
בִּדְגַ֤ת (biḏ·ḡaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1710: A fish

of the sea
הַיָּם֙ (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

and the birds
וּבְע֣וֹף (ū·ḇə·‘ō·wp̄)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

of the air
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and every
וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

creature
חַיָּ֖ה (ḥay·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

that crawls
הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת (hā·rō·me·śeṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7430: To glide swiftly, to crawl, move with short steps, to swarm

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the earth.”
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT Law: Genesis 1:28 God blessed them (Gen. Ge Gn)