The concept of "subdues" in the Bible is closely associated with the exercise of dominion, control, and bringing under authority. It is a theme that appears in various contexts, from God's command to humanity to subdue the earth, to the subduing of nations and spiritual forces.

Creation Mandate

The first mention of subduing is found in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:28 , God commands Adam and Eve, "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." Here, subduing is part of the divine mandate given to humanity, indicating stewardship and responsible management of the earth and its resources. This command reflects humanity's role as God's representatives, exercising authority over creation in a manner that honors Him.

Conquest and Warfare

The theme of subduing is also prevalent in the context of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. In Numbers 32:22 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "Then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of your obligation to the LORD and to Israel." The subduing of the land was a divine directive, with God promising to go before Israel to ensure their victory over the inhabitants of Canaan. This subduing was not merely a military conquest but a fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Divine Sovereignty

Throughout the Psalms, the concept of God subduing nations and peoples under His rule is a recurring theme. Psalm 47:3 declares, "He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet." This reflects the belief in God's ultimate sovereignty over all the earth, where He exercises His power to bring about His purposes. The subduing of nations is seen as an act of divine justice and order, establishing God's kingdom and authority.

Spiritual Warfare

In the New Testament, the idea of subduing extends to spiritual warfare. Believers are called to subdue sinful desires and spiritual forces of evil. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 , the Apostle Paul writes, "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." Here, subduing is related to self-control and the mastery of one's own body and desires, aligning them with God's will.

Christ's Victory

Ultimately, the theme of subduing finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 3:21 , it is written, "He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subdue all things to Himself." Christ's victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness is the ultimate act of subduing, bringing all things under His lordship and establishing His eternal kingdom.

In summary, the biblical concept of subduing encompasses humanity's role in creation, God's sovereignty over nations, the call to spiritual discipline, and the ultimate victory of Christ. It underscores the authority and power of God working through His people to accomplish His divine purposes.3711. kaphah -- to subdue
... kaphah. 3712 . to subdue. Transliteration: kaphah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-faw')
Short Definition: subdues. ... root Definition to subdue NASB Word Usage subdues (1 ...
/hebrew/3711.htm - 5k

7287a. radah -- to have dominion, rule, dominate
... rule, dominate NASB Word Usage dominated (1), had dominion (1), have dominion (1),
prevailed (1), rule (12), ruled (4), ruling (1), subdued (1), subdues (1). ...
/hebrew/7287a.htm - 5k

1696. dabar -- to speak
... 1), says (4), sing (1), speak (297), speaking (61), speaks (34), speaks fluently
(1), spoke (333), spoken (188), state (2), statements (2), subdues (2), talk (7 ...
/hebrew/1696.htm - 6k

7286. radad -- to beat out, beat down, subdue
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beat out, beat down, subdue NASB Word Usage
gone (1), spread (1), subdue (1), subdues (1). spend, spread, subdue. ...
/hebrew/7286.htm - 6k

Christ Subdues a Storm on the Sea. --Character of the Act as a ...
... CHRIST'S FIRST GENERAL MINISTRY IN GALILEE. Section 131. Christ subdues a Storm
on the Sea."Character of the Act as a Miracle."Its moral Significance. ...
/.../section 131 christ subdues a.htm

Herod Takes Sepphoris and Subdues the Robbers that were in the ...
... Herod Takes Sepphoris And Subdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony ...
/.../chapter 16 herod takes sepphoris.htm

I Will Call in My Affliction, on the Power that Subdues All
... Hymn XII. I will call in my affliction, on the Power that subdues all.
1. I will call in my affliction, on the Power that subdues ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xii i will call.htm

Of Hercules and his Life and Death.
... anger; or he who has brought down most rapacious birds, than he who restrains most
covetous desires; or he who subdues a warlike Amazon, than he who subdues ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of hercules and his.htm

The Tamed Lion.
... A sense of gratitude. But man himself, who thus subdues. The fiercest beasts of
prey; ... The love thy bleeding cross displays,. The hardest heart subdues; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 93 the tamed lion.htm

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Principle of all Good Actions ...
... it is ready to bestir itself and disperse its odours and virtue, till at last it
gets so perfect a dominion in perfect souls that it quite subdues the contrary ...
/.../chapter vi the gift of.htm

Love of Religion, a New Nature.
... may become such;"what they differ in is this, not that one man has it, another not;
but that one lives in and to it, another not; one subdues it, another not ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xiii love of religion.htm

Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian
... Hymn XII. I will call in my affliction, on the Power that subdues all. Hymn
XIII. Concerning Mar Jacob and his Companions. Hymn XIV. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/

The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
... Herod Takes Sepphoris And Subdues The Robbers That Were In The Caves; He After That
Avenges Himself Upon Macheras, As Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony ...
/.../josephus/the wars of the jews or history of the destruction of jerusalem/

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... degrees backward. The power of God subdues our corruptions. "He will subdue
our iniquities" (Micah 7:19). Is your sin strong? God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

Subdues (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Subdues (6 Occurrences). Psalms 18:47 even the God who
executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/s/subdues.htm - 8k

Executes (11 Occurrences)
... Psalms 18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples
under me. (WEB NAS). Psalms 75:7 But God is the judge. ...
/e/executes.htm - 9k

Curb (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or hindrance; esp., a chain
or strap attached to the upper part of the branches of a bit, and capable ...
/c/curb.htm - 9k

Crushes (7 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces
and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it ...
/c/crushes.htm - 8k

Subdueth (6 Occurrences)

/s/subdueth.htm - 8k

Subduedst (1 Occurrence)

/s/subduedst.htm - 6k

Deliverer (29 Occurrences)
... Psalms 144:2 my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield,
and he in whom I take refuge; who subdues my people under me. ...
/d/deliverer.htm - 15k

Subdue (26 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Psalms 47:3 He subdues nations under us,
and peoples under our feet. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/subdue.htm - 15k

Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces
and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it ...
/b/breaks.htm - 16k

Vengeance (63 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Psalms 18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues
peoples under me. (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV). Psalms ...
/v/vengeance.htm - 26k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus