Definition: And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 9:2. It’s a pretty powerful statement about God’s control over creation. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is giving complete control over all life on Earth – everything – to Him. He’s essentially saying that because of the “fear” He creates, everything will be terrified and controlled by God. Let’s look at it word-by-word: “And the fear…” : This refers to a deep, overwhelming feeling of dread or terror. “…of you and the dread of you…” : This is key. It's not just any fear; it’s a dread . It means a profound anxiety and worry that comes from knowing God’s power. “…shall be upon every beast of the earth, upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth…” : This is where it gets really significant. It's saying that this fear will dominate everything on Earth – animals (lions, wolves, deer, etc.), birds (birds of every kind), and even all moving things like fish and insects. “…and upon all the fishes of the sea…” : This expands the scope to include marine life too. “into your hand are they delivered.” : This is the shocking part. God is handing over everything – everything that can move – to Him. He’s essentially giving complete dominion and control to His will. What it means in a broader sense: This verse speaks to a time of significant upheaval, chaos, and potential destruction. It's often interpreted as a period when God is establishing his authority over the entire world and initiating a new era of creation where He has absolute power. It’s a moment where humanity is placed under God’s watchful eye. Important Note: This passage is rooted in a very early understanding of the relationship between God and humankind, particularly concerning sin and disobedience. It's a dramatic depiction of God's judgment and control after humanity’s rebellion against him. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with different interpretations? Discuss its significance within the context of the Old Testament story of Genesis? Give you some examples of how it might be interpreted in modern times?