Definition and Context:
The term "domineering" refers to the exercise of power or authority in an overbearing, controlling, or tyrannical manner. In a biblical context, domineering behavior is often contrasted with the servant leadership model exemplified by Jesus Christ. The Bible warns against such behavior, particularly among those in positions of leadership within the church and family.

Biblical References and Teachings:

1. 1 Peter 5:3 · In this passage, the Apostle Peter addresses church elders, urging them to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or through compulsion. He specifically instructs them not to be "domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock" . This highlights the importance of leading by example rather than through coercion or force.

2. Matthew 20:25-28 · Jesus contrasts the leadership styles of the Gentile rulers with the servant leadership He expects from His followers. He states, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" . This passage underscores the call to humility and service rather than domination.

3. Ephesians 5:22-33 · While this passage addresses the roles of husbands and wives, it provides insight into the nature of Christ-like leadership. Husbands are called to love their wives "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" . This sacrificial love stands in stark contrast to a domineering attitude, emphasizing care, respect, and selflessness.

4. Colossians 3:19 · Paul instructs husbands, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them" . This admonition against harshness can be seen as a warning against domineering behavior within the family unit, promoting a loving and gentle approach instead.

5. Titus 1:7 · In outlining the qualifications for church overseers, Paul states that an overseer "must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain" . The term "overbearing" is synonymous with domineering, indicating that such traits are incompatible with godly leadership.

Theological Implications:

Domineering behavior is antithetical to the biblical model of leadership, which is characterized by humility, service, and love. Leaders in the church and family are called to reflect the character of Christ, who led through serving others and laying down His life. The New Testament consistently emphasizes that authority should be exercised with gentleness and respect, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and authoritarianism.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their own leadership styles and relationships to ensure they align with biblical principles. Whether in the church, home, or workplace, Christians are called to lead with integrity, compassion, and a servant's heart, avoiding the temptation to dominate or control others. By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the example set by Jesus Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Domineer.

2. (a.) Ruling arrogantly; overbearing.

7989. shallit -- having mastery, domineering
... 7988, 7989. shallit. 7990 . having mastery, domineering. Transliteration:
shallit Phonetic Spelling: (shal-leet') Short Definition: ruler. ...
/hebrew/7989.htm - 6k

7288. Radday -- a son of Jesse
... Raddai. Intensive from radah; domineering; Raddai, an Israelite -- Raddai. see
HEBREW radah. 7287b, 7288. Radday. 7289 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7288.htm - 6k

4806. meri -- a fatling, fatlings
... From mara' in the sense of grossness, through the idea of domineering (compare mare');
stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve -- fat (fed) beast (cattle, -ling). ...
/hebrew/4806.htm - 6k

4756. mare -- lord
... lord, Lord. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to mara' in the sense of domineering;
a master -- lord, Lord. see HEBREW mara'. 4755, 4756. mare. 4757 . ...
/hebrew/4756.htm - 6k

7260. rabrab -- very great things
... very great things (Aramaic) from rab; huge (in size); domineering (in character) --
(very) great (things). see HEBREW rab. 7259, 7260. rabrab. 7261 . ...
/hebrew/7260.htm - 5k

1153. Besay -- one of the Nethinim
... Besai. From buwc; domineering; Besai, one of the Nethinim -- Besai. see HEBREW
buwc. 1152, 1153. Besay. 1154 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1153.htm - 6k

Impressive Phrases
... aptitude, capacity, efficiency, and power. arbitrary, dictatorial, domineering,
and imperious [imperious = arrogantly domineering or overbearing]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... The communication was to be in the form of a proposal, and yet it was to be made
in the domineering and overbearing manner with which the tyrannical and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

Rom. x. 14, 15
... For ye know the domineering might of the passion, and how great the power is which
jealousy is naturally possessed of for bringing all disputatiousness to an ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii rom x 14.htm

Questions which Ought to be Asked
... ELIHU PERCEIVED the great ones of the earth oppressing the needy, and he traced
their domineering tyranny to their forgetfulness of God: "None saith, Where is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/questions which ought to be.htm

Of the Law and a Christian
... I know that Hagar would sometimes be domineering and high, even in Sarah's house,
and against her; but this she is not to be suffered to do, nay, though Sarah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the law and a.htm

The Lone Man who Went Before
... He drew all sorts of men. He drew the Jews, to whom He belonged racially. He drew
the aggressive, domineering Romans, and the gentler cultured Greeks. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the lone man who went.htm

The Counter-Reformation
... the nobles and bishops; in the Netherlands to the determination of the people to
maintain their old laws and constitutions in face of the domineering policy of ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... Thus absolute monarchs, however ambitious, and selfish, and domineering in their
characters, have a strong personal interest in the establishment of order and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

The Retreat from Scythia.
... Asia. The motive which dictated Darius's invasion of Scythia seems to
have been purely a selfish and domineering love of power. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ix the retreat from.htm

Kingo's Later Years
... church at Copenhagen. On the island of Falster he often visited the proud
and domineering ex-queen, Carolina Amalia. He was likewise ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

Domineering (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Domineer. 2. (a.) Ruling arrogantly;
overbearing. Multi-Version Concordance Domineering (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/domineering.htm - 7k

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Overpowering; subduing; repressing. 2. (a.) Aggressively haughty; arrogant;
domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Weak-willed (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 16:30 How weak 'is' thy heart, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, In thy
doing all these, The work of a domineering whorish woman. (See NIV). ...
/w/weak-willed.htm - 6k

Insolent (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Presumptuous; insulting; haughty, contemptuous or brutal in behavior or
language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as ...
/i/insolent.htm - 11k

Imperious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Commanding; domineering; overbearing; ascendant;
imperial; lordly; majestic. 2. (a.) Haughty; arrogant ...
/i/imperious.htm - 7k

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... During the time of the judges and the first stage of the monarchy this tribe
manifested a domineering and haughty and discontented spirit. ...
/e/ephraim.htm - 56k

Domineered (1 Occurrence)

/d/domineered.htm - 6k

Dominion (72 Occurrences)

/d/dominion.htm - 30k

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