Question 1

What does "Dominion" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Dominion" means "control over." The shepherd-king model. 'Dominion over the earth' was not 'exploit the planet' but 'tend it as God's appointed steward-king.' The image was a king whose authority was exercised for the flourishing of his subjects, not for his own enrichment. Dominion was service-authority, not exploitative control.

Question 2

Why did the word "Dominion" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Hebrew radah ('to rule as a shepherd-king/exercise care-giving authority/tend and steward on behalf of the true owner') was corrupted into 'dominate/exploit.' Dominion became domination. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but corrupted (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Dominion"?

Accepted Answer

"Dominion" was replaced by: "domination" (though this exploitation; radah was the authority of a steward caring for the owner's property); "control" (though this impersonal management; dominion was relational responsibility for the well-being of what was entrusted); "rule over" (though this implies oppression; radah was the authority of a good shepherd over the flock -- exercised for their benefit).

What Does “Dominion” Mean in the Bible?

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