Commentaries:
<< Genesis 8:22 Genesis 9:2 >>
Genesis 9:1-2
Once again God gives man dominion over all other life on the earth, and with this renewed authority comes the implicit responsibility to tend and keep what was explicitly given to Adam. In this post-Flood world, God gives mankind a second chance to use and preserve the resources He had so abundantly provided. To that end Noah, after 120 years as a preacher and shipwright, took up farming and planted a vineyard (verse 20). We can assume, from what we know of human nature, that this attitude of stewardship did not pass to very many of his descendants.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Bible and the EnvironmentRelated Topics: Dominion | Dominion over Animals | Dress and Keep | Human Nature | Noah | Noah's Stewardship | Responsibility, Sense of | Stewardship | Stewardship of EarthOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Genesis 9:1:
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:28
Genesis 2:15
<< Genesis 8:22 Genesis 9:2 >>
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What Does Genesis 9:1 Mean?
In alignment with God's blessing to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1 to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, mankind receives renewed dominion over all life. This authority carries an implicit responsibility to tend and preserve the abundant resources provided. In this post-Flood world, a second chance emerges to steward the earth, as originally tasked to Adam. Noah, transitioning from preacher and shipwright after 120 years, embraces this role by taking up farming and planting a vineyard. Yet, the attitude of stewardship likely fails to transfer to many of his descendants, reflecting the challenges in maintaining this divine mandate across generations.