Gen 1:26–28: radah and kavash, "rule" and "subdue"

Says וְיִרְדּוּ (1:26) is a Qal jussive, third masculine plural (OSHB), "and let them rule"; the BSB renders it "to rule," and BDB glosses the verb "have dominion, rule, dominate." In 1:28 וּרְדוּ is a Qal imperative, plural, "and rule" (BSB "rule over"), and וְכִבְשֻׁהָ a Qal imperative with a feminine suffix, "and subdue it," the earth. BDB glosses that verb "subdue, bring into bondage" and lists 1:28 under "subdue, dominate, the earth". The rule is over the fish, the birds, the livestock, all the earth and every creeping thing (1:26), and in 1:28 over fish, birds and every living creature that moves.

Says The rule words follow בְּצַלְמֵנוּ (1:26) and stand inside the blessing of 1:28. Verses 29–30 then give plants and fruit for food.

Implies On the language, the rule is delegated and accountable: God gives it by his own speech, joins it to the image, and sets it within his blessing. The main alternative reads the words as a grant of power over the creatures whose terms the text does not set: the verbs say that humans rule, not how. note.language.Gen.1.6-Gen.1.28.lxx-stereoma-eikon reads the Greek of 1:26–28 the same way.

Uncertain How the commission is to be lived out: stewardship and care, a royal or priestly vocation, or a cultural mandate. No lean is taken here, and modern environmental and political applications are outside this note.