Genesis 1:28 stands at the heart of the biblical doctrine of creation and it articulates what is often called the creational mandate. Humanity, created in the image and likeness of God, is blessed and commissioned to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion” (The etymology Hebrew root prh, commonly translated as “be fruitful,” fundamentally conveys the idea of growth, multiplication, and productivity. Some scholars once suggested that it originated from an ancient root meaning “to make a noise,” but this theory is generally considered doubtful. More convincingly, its original sense is likely “to separate or divide,” from which the noun “fruit” and the verb “to be fruitful” were derived, emphasizing the biblical concept of life expanding and multiplying. The verbal root meaning “to break forth, sprout” first gave rise to the nominal construction peri “fruit.” From this noun later developed denominative verbs meaning “to bear fruit” or “to be fertile.” The original sense of sprouting or breaking out survives in only a few biblical passages. One such example appears in Isaiah 11, where the prophecy of messianic peace describes a shoot emerging from Jesse’s stump, using the verb yipreh to preserve this original meaning). This mandate is not merely biological or demographic; rather, it is profoundly theological. To multiply is to multiply image-bearers, and to fill the earth is to extend God’s glory/representative presence throughout creation. Human dominion is therefore derivative and vocational, reflecting God’s righteous rule over the cosmos. Implicit within this command is the telos of creation: that the whole earth should reflect the glory, creation order, and goodness of the Creator through obedient human stewardship.
The Disruption of the Mandate through Sin
The entrance of sin in Genesis 3 radically distorts the creational mandate. Although humanity continues to multiply, the earth is no longer filled with the knowledge of God but with the violence and corruption (Genesis 6:11). The image of God is not erased but profoundly marred, tarnished, resulting in a humanity incapable of fulfilling its original vocation. Genesis demonstrates that numerical expansion alone does not accomplish God’s purpose; instead, sinful multiplication magnifies disorder rather than divine glory. Consequently, Genesis 1:28 remains an unfulfilled ideal, awaiting redemptive intervention.
Proto-Patriarchal and Israelite Responsibilities: Unfulfilled Roles in God’s Plan
Following the transgression of Adam and Eve, Noah was divinely commissioned to “be fruitful and multiply,” thereby assuming the mantle of propagating divine blessing (Genesis 9:1). Yet, after the conclusion of Noah’s life marked by human frailty and shame (Genesis 9:20-23), God extended this sacred calling to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, entrusting them with the continuity of this divine mandate (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5; 17:2; 22:17-18; 28:14; 35:11). Nevertheless, these patriarchs too exhibited moral shortcomings, proving insufficient to fully execute the task entrusted to them. Within the broader canonical narrative, the nation of Israel emerges as the covenantal community through which God seeks to restore His creational purposes. The Abrahamic promise that “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) underscores the universal scope of the original creational mandate. Israel’s designation as a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6) further signifies its mediatorial role for the nations. Yet, the trajectory of Israel’s history mirrors Adam’s own failure: while the nation flourishes numerically, it fails to extend God’s glory across the earth. Consequently, the prophetic corpus anticipates a future obedient servant who will fulfill that which both Adam and Israel were unable to accomplish.
The Birth of Jesus Marks the Turning Point
The birth of Jesus who is the long-awaited Messiah marks the decisive turning point in the redemptive fulfillment of Genesis 1:28. As mentioned above, the New Testament identifies Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15), presenting Him as the perfect realization of true humanity. In the incarnation, God enters His creation to restore humanity’s lost vocation rather than abandoning it. Christmas, therefore is not merely the beginning of Christ’s earthly life but the inauguration of God’s redemptive plan to reclaim the earth for His glory through the second Adam Jesus. In Christ, fruitfulness and multiplication are redefined. While Genesis 1:28 emphasizes propagating God’s glory to the whole earth through physical reproduction, the mission of Jesus introduces spiritual reproduction through new birth (John 1:12-13). This shift becomes explicit in the Great Commission, where the mandate is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). The global scope of Genesis remains intact, but the content is transformed: the earth is now to be filled with redeemed image-bearers who live under Christ’s lordship. Christmas thus initiates a renewed humanity whose expansion brings reconciliation rather than corruption.
God’s Glory Restored through Jesus
The angelic proclamation at Jesus’ birth “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14) signals the restoration of the Genesis vision. The glory that was intended to fill the earth through obedient image-bearers now spreads through Christ and those united to Him. The church participates in this restored mandate, bearing witness to God’s reign among all peoples. Theologically Christmas represents the redemptive continuation and fulfillment of Genesis 1:28. The birth of Jesus is God’s response to humanity’s failure to live out its creational vocation. In Christ, the true image-bearer, God restores His purpose to fill the earth with His glory. Christmas, therefore proclaims not only incarnated Jesus but vocation restored, mission renewed, and creation reclaimed under the lordship of Christ Jesus.
The world is being restored to the way it was meant to be. And this light, though often repressed, is unfold with the birth of Jesus Christ. And as the birth of Jesus let us all open our heart and received the prince of peace wholeheartedly who will restore our chaos and problems into order in God’s plan.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas filled with Christ's peace, hope, and restoring grace.- “What Is the Book of Matthew About? Background of Mattew,” Bibles.net. 27th November, 2025, https://www.bibles.net/book-background/background-of-matthew/
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