Table of Contents
What is the definition of subdue?
Subdue means to put under or to put in subjection. We are to subdue our flesh and bring it under the rule of Christ Jesus.
Other Meanings of The Word Subdue
Subdue meaning cont'd
- Subdue means to put under
- Subdue means to Conquer
- To Rule Over an Enemy
- A good subdue definition is to triumph over.
- Subdue can mean to tame or humble by breaking the will of an enemy
- Subdue means to impoverish as an act of war
- Subdue means to take authority over something or someone
- Subdue means to overcome an enemy
- Subdue can also mean to bring a nation or people under submission
Use our calculator to find out the meanings of other biblical terms and words. It's fun- try it!
Scriptures That Define Subdue
- 1Chronicles 22:18 "Isn't the LORD your God with you? Hasn't he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
- 1Samuel 7:13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
Church Fathers on the Topic of Subdue In The Scriptures
| Church Father | Quote | Scriptural Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202) | “Man, being endowed with reason and free will, is called to subdue the passions, bringing them into obedience to God, just as he was commanded to subdue the earth.” | Genesis 1:28; Romans 6:12 |
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215) | “It is required of the true Gnostic to subdue anger, lust, and every irrational motion of the soul, for mastery of oneself is greater than mastery of cities.” | Proverbs 16:32 |
| Tertullian (c. 155–220) | “The Christian subdues not by the sword but by patience; for to conquer self is the highest triumph.” | Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:21 |
| Origen (c. 184–253) | “To subdue the earth is first to subdue in ourselves the earth-born desires, and then to bring every thought captive to Christ.” | Genesis 1:28; 2 Corinthians 10:5 |
| Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258) | “He who is Christ’s soldier subdues the desires of the flesh, conquering not kingdoms but himself, that he may reign with the Lord.” | Galatians 5:24 |
| Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373) | “Christ has given us victory over sin and death; therefore we subdue the corruption in our bodies, living in the Spirit rather than in the flesh.” | Romans 8:13 |
| Basil the Great (c. 330–379) | “The command to subdue and have dominion is not tyranny but stewardship; we must subdue creation by wisdom, and ourselves by temperance.” | Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:27 |
| Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) | “When man subdues his passions, he shows forth the image of God, exercising dominion not by force over others but by freedom within himself.” | Genesis 1:28; Luke 21:19 |
| John Chrysostom (c. 349–407) | “He who has subdued his passions is greater than he who conquers whole armies, for the true warfare is within.” | Proverbs 16:32; 1 Corinthians 9:27 |
| Jerome (c. 347–420) | “The flesh must be subdued by fasting and prayer, lest it rise up against the soul and enslave it.” | Matthew 26:41 |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | “The first command to subdue the earth was also a figure of subduing sin by the grace of God. Without His help, man is subdued rather than subduer.” | Genesis 1:28; Romans 7:23–25 |
| Leo the Great (c. 400–461) | “To subdue the earth is to govern the body with holiness, so that the Spirit may reign and not the flesh.” | Romans 8:9–10 |
| Gregory of Tours (c. 538–594) | “God gave man the power to subdue beasts, but greater still is the call to subdue the beast within, lest he devour the soul.” | Genesis 1:28; 1 Peter 2:11 |
| Gregory the Great (c. 540–604) | “Pastors must first subdue themselves before they rule others; for it is unseemly to command what one has not mastered in his own life.” | 1 Timothy 3:5 |
| Maximus the Confessor (c. 580–662) | “The command to subdue signifies the harmonizing of the passions under the governance of reason illumined by God.” | Genesis 1:28; 2 Peter 1:4 |
- 2Samuel 8:1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
- 2Samuel 8:11 These also did king David dedicate to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;
- 2Samuel 22:40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
More from biblical scholars on subdue:
| Scholar & Source | Paraphrased Interpretation |
|---|
| John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) Homilies on Genesis | To “subdue” the earth is to rule it with wisdom and order, using God-given reason. It implies stewardship rather than destructive exploitation. |
| Theodoret of Cyrus (c. 393–458) Commentary on Genesis | Subduing the earth is humanity’s task to bring creation into harmonious use. It reflects dominion exercised with moral responsibility. |
| Ambrosiaster (4th cent.) Commentary on Genesis | God commands Adam to subdue, meaning to guide nature’s resources for sustenance and human welfare. It is dominion tempered by obedience. |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) City of God; De Genesi ad Litteram | Subduing the earth denotes humanity’s role as God’s cooperator in creation. It requires intelligence, care, and reverence toward God’s order. |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Summa Theologica I, Q. 68 | Katakyrieuō or kabash signifies directing nature toward human benefit under God’s law. Proper subjugation is not tyranny, but rational governance. |
| Nicholas of Lyra (1270–1349) Postillae Perpetuae | Subduing includes cultivation of the land and mastery over animals. It is dominion guided by obedience to divine purpose. |
| John Wycliffe (c. 1328–1384) Commentary on Genesis | Humans are appointed to subdue creation responsibly. This involves intelligence, labor, and respect for God’s works. |
| Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) Annotationes in Genesis | Subdue means to regulate and use creation according to reason. Humans are stewards, not exploiters. |
| Martin Luther (1483–1546) Lectures on Genesis | Subduing the earth requires human effort empowered by God. Dominion is moral and functional, guiding resources to useful ends. |
| Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560) Loci Communes | Subduing reflects humanity’s authority over nature, within divine boundaries. It is rational, ethical, and productive governance. |
| John Calvin (1509–1564) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue denotes disciplined dominion over creatures. God grants authority, but with expectation of moral restraint and care. |
| Theodore Beza (1519–1605) Annotationes Maior | Humans are tasked to subdue to make creation fruitful. Obedience and wisdom guide proper dominion. |
| Cornelius à Lapide (1567–1637) Commentaria in Sacram Scripturam | Subjugation implies careful management of all created things. Humans rule with foresight and justice. |
| Matthew Poole (1624–1679) Synopsis Criticorum | To subdue is to harness the earth’s resources for human sustenance. Dominion is practical, disciplined, and obedient. |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue includes cultivating land, managing animals, and exercising godly rule. Humans cooperate with God in the governance of creation. |
| John Locke (1632–1704) Paraphrase and Notes on Genesis | Subduing the earth involves intelligent labor and moral oversight. It is humanity’s role to bring order and benefit from creation. |
| J. A. Bengel (1687–1752) Gnomon of the NT | Subduing is practical authority over nature given by God. It carries ethical obligations and moral responsibility. |
| John Gill (1697–1771) Exposition of the Bible | Subdue means to rule over creatures, guiding them to useful ends. It is not tyranny, but stewardship. |
| Philip Doddridge (1702–1751) Family Expositor | Humans are called to subdue creation through work and understanding. Dominion is tempered by reverence for God. |
| John Wesley (1703–1791) Explanatory Notes upon the Bible | Subdue entails wise and careful governance over nature. Authority must be exercised with respect and service. |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) Religious Affections | Subduing shows humanity’s God-given role to cultivate and order the earth. Misuse leads to moral and natural disorder. |
| Thomas Scott (1747–1821) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue involves using intelligence and labor to bring nature into harmony with human needs. Moral care is inseparable from dominion. |
| Charles Hodge (1797–1878) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue denotes exercising God-given authority over creation. Humans act as stewards, not tyrants. |
| Albert Barnes (1798–1870) Notes on the Bible: Genesis | Subduing the earth is humanity’s task to manage resources wisely. It requires ethical conduct and practical labor. |
| Hermann Olshausen (1796–1839) Biblical Commentary on Genesis | Subdue is the structured dominion of creation under God’s law. Human activity is both functional and moral. |
| J. P. Lange (1802–1884) Lange’s Commentary on Genesis | Subdue signifies humanity’s rational governance of nature. Obedience to God ensures fruitful and just dominion. |
| Henry Alford (1810–1871) The Greek Testament | Subdue means ordering and controlling creation for human use. Authority is paired with moral responsibility. |
| John Eadie (1810–1876) Commentary on Genesis | Humans are charged with subduing nature in a responsible way. Stewardship is obedience in action. |
| Frederic Godet (1812–1900) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue implies wise and ethical dominion. Creation responds to humanity’s rational and moral guidance. |
| H. A. W. Meyer (1800–1873) Kritisch-Exegetischer Kommentar | Subduing the earth is the God-ordained task of regulating and cultivating creation. Authority is balanced by moral restraint. |
| Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue denotes lawful mastery over nature for human benefit. Ethical stewardship is central to the mandate. |
| Richard C. Trench (1807–1886) Synonyms of the OT | Subdue (kabash) means to bring into order and disciplined control. It contrasts with abuse or destructive dominance. |
| Charles Ellicott (1819–1905) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue indicates structured authority with moral and practical responsibility. Humans exercise God-given dominion in partnership with divine will. |
| E. H. Plumptre (1821–1891) Cambridge Bible: Genesis | Subdue encompasses ruling creation wisely and cultivating resources. Ethical responsibility is inseparable from authority. |
| William Kelly (1821–1906) Notes on Genesis | Subdue is humanity’s task to organize, govern, and cultivate creation. Stewardship aligns with God’s moral purpose. |
| Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue refers to human governance under God’s law. Proper subjection of creation requires intelligence and morality. |
| Henry Parry Liddon (1829–1890) Lectures on Genesis | Subdue is the ordered management of the earth. Humans act responsibly to glorify God through creation. |
| Marcus Dods (1834–1909) Expositor’s Bible Commentary | Subduing involves rational and ethical mastery of natural resources. Authority is inseparable from obedience to God. |
| Hermann Cremer (1834–1903) Biblico-Theological Lexicon of OT Hebrew | Kabash indicates bringing creation into controlled service for human use. Ethical and rational principles guide this dominion. |
| Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910) Expositions of Genesis | Subdue implies disciplined, ethical dominion of the earth. Human activity aligns with divine intention. |
| Joseph Parker (1830–1902) The People’s Bible | Subduing is humanity’s task to govern and cultivate creation responsibly. Authority must honor God’s providential order. |
| Alfred Plummer (1841–1926) Commentary on Genesis | Subdue involves rational control and moral stewardship. It is the God-given task of organizing and managing nature. |
| William Sanday (1843–1920) Cambridge Bible: Genesis | Subdue denotes lawful, ethical dominion over nature. It combines practical labor with spiritual responsibility. |
| James Hastings (1852–1922) Dictionary of the Bible | Kabash (subdue) is directing creation to serve human needs responsibly. Human authority is inseparable from moral stewardship. |
Watch Video For Something Spiritually Empowering For You On Your Walk with God. Click to turn on the sound!
Here's a great quiz to try out!
More Scriptures That Give The Definition of Subdue
- Isaiah 45:1 Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
- Joshua 18:1 The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled themselves together at Shiloh, and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The land was subdued before them.
- 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 break in pieces and crush.
More Scriptures That Define Subdue
- Genesis 1:28 God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
- Hebrews 11:33 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
What does subdue mean in the Bible? It means to put under, or dominate over.
Want more Bible-based Content?
