Definition and Context
Subduing, in a biblical context, refers to the act of bringing something under control or dominion. This concept is often associated with God's command to humanity to exercise authority over creation, as well as the spiritual and moral challenges faced by individuals and nations in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References

1. Creation Mandate
The concept of subduing is first introduced 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." This mandate establishes humanity's role as stewards of the earth, tasked with managing and caring for God's creation.

2. Conquest and Warfare
The theme of subduing is prevalent in the accounts of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. In Joshua 18:1 , it is recorded: "The whole congregation of the Israelites assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And the land was subdued before them." This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, requiring them to subdue the existing inhabitants under divine guidance.

3. Spiritual Subduing
Subduing is also a metaphor for spiritual victory over sin and evil. In Romans 8:13 , Paul writes, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." This passage emphasizes the believer's responsibility to subdue sinful desires through the power of the Holy Spirit.

4. Divine Subduing
God Himself is depicted as the ultimate subduer of nations and spiritual forces. In Psalm 47:3 , it is declared, "He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet." This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about His purposes through the subjugation of earthly powers.

5. Moral and Ethical Subduing
The Bible also speaks to the need for individuals to subdue their own hearts and actions. Proverbs 16:32 states, "He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city." This underscores the value of self-control and the moral strength required to subdue one's own impulses.

Theological Implications

The concept of subduing in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It reflects the human responsibility to exercise dominion in a way that honors God and aligns with His purposes. It also points to the spiritual battle against sin and the need for divine assistance in overcoming evil. Furthermore, it underscores God's ultimate authority over creation and history, as He subdues all things under His sovereign will.

Practical Application

Believers are called to apply the principle of subduing in various aspects of life. This includes responsible stewardship of the environment, ethical leadership, and personal spiritual discipline. By seeking God's guidance and empowerment, Christians are encouraged to subdue the challenges they face, both internally and externally, in a manner that reflects God's character and advances His kingdom.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Subdue.

Perseverance of Saints.
... to beget a spirit of perseverance in rebellion; but is on the contrary the readiest,
and safest, and I may add, the only effectual method of subduing him, and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.
... From the time that Cyrus first commenced the work of conquest by subduing Media,
to the present day, the extent of our empire has been continually widening ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iii debate on the.htm

Third Sunday Before Lent
... above, "Every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things."
By "keeping under the body" Paul means, not only subduing the carnal lusts ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday before lent.htm

Christ's Kingly Office
... A: In subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and
conquering all his and our enemies. Let us consider now Christ's regal office. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm

Love and Obedience
... to be dwelt upon here"namely, the all-sufficient ideal or guide of life, the
all-powerful motive which Christ brings to bear, and the all-subduing gaze of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/love and obedience.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... He had never tried anything so perfectly subduing to the mind as this. ... It
gives the most heart-breaking, sin-subduing views of God. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the ...
... the earth"), and conquered all of these by His death, a death was sought answerable
to the mystery, so that being lifted up in the air, and subduing the powers ...
/.../11 these things since they.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... shame were those when I was clasped in her embraces and was polluted by her crimes;
when I was a forced partaker in her bad faith, soul-subduing tyranny, and ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Cambyses.
... In the latter part of his life, he conceived the idea that there might possibly
be some additional glory and power to be acquired in subduing certain half ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... history, they magnify the wealth, the power, and the resources of his empire, by
way of exalting the greatness and renown of their own exploits in subduing him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

Subduing (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Subdue. Multi-Version
Concordance Subduing (3 Occurrences). Nehemiah 5:5 and now, as ...
/s/subduing.htm - 7k

Parthians (1 Occurrence)
... In 66 BC when, after subduing Mithridates of Pontus, Pompey came into Syria, Phraates
III made an alliance with him against Armenia, but was offended by the ...
/p/parthians.htm - 16k

Subject (99 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:5 and now, as the flesh of our brethren 'is' our flesh, as their sons
'are' our sons, and lo, we are subduing our sons and our daughters for servants ...
/s/subject.htm - 37k

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Overpowering; subduing; repressing. 2. (a.)
Aggressively haughty; arrogant; domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent. ...
/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Overcoming (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr & vb. n.) of Overcome. 2. (a.) Conquering;
subduing. Multi-Version Concordance Overcoming (14 Occurrences). ...
/o/overcoming.htm - 11k

Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... 23:2-5). If we consider the fact, "which the experience of God's saints in all ages
has conclusively established, of the difficulty of subduing an infirmity of ...
/t/thorn.htm - 35k

Taskmaster (3 Occurrences)
... 10, 13, 14)): Officials of this class seem to have been officially appointed by
Pharaoh for the purpose of oppressing the Israelites and subduing their spirits ...
/t/taskmaster.htm - 8k

Reclaim (1 Occurrence)
... customary call. 3. (vt) To call back from flight or disorderly action; to
call to, for the purpose of subduing or quieting. 4. (vt ...
/r/reclaim.htm - 8k

Reign (468 Occurrences)
... 2) the Messiah (Christ) as a just and righteous king (Jeremiah 23:5); an eternal
king (Luke 1:33; compare Revelation 11:15); punishing and subduing His enemies ...
/r/reign.htm - 42k

Rekem (6 Occurrences)
... 2) the Messiah (Christ) as a just and righteous king (Jeremiah 23:5); an eternal
king (Luke 1:33; compare Revelation 11:15); punishing and subduing His enemies ...
/r/rekem.htm - 11k

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Subduing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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