You asked

if humanity is just one species among many, what does 'ruler over the works' mean for our ethics?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Genesis 1:26-28

“26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful and 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."”

These verses come from the very beginning of the Bible, in the first chapter of Genesis, part of the creation narrative. They describe the creation of humanity on the sixth day and assign a particular role to them within the created world. It sets the stage for understanding humanity's place and purpose.

If humanity is one species among many, how does the idea of 'dominion' shape our ethical responsibility towards the rest of the natural world?

Then — the setting

This passage is from the priestly account of creation (P-source), likely compiled during or after the Babylonian exile (6th-5th centuries BCE). It was written for a people who had experienced loss and displacement, affirming humanity's inherent dignity and a divinely appointed role in creation. In this ancient Near Eastern context, 'dominion' often implied the rule of a king over a kingdom, suggesting a royal-like responsibility for the created order, not necessarily destructive exploitation. The audience would have understood 'subdue' in terms of ordering chaos and making the land productive for sustenance.

Across the Testaments

In the Old Testament, 'dominion' (רָדָה, radah) and 'subdue' (כָּבַשׁ, kabash) in Genesis 1 give humanity a distinct and powerful role, implying governance and management, though the specific ethical boundaries are debated. The New Testament, particularly through the teachings of Jesus, often emphasizes humility, servanthood, and love (e.g., Matthew 20:25-28). While not directly revoking the Genesis mandate, these teachings can be seen as re-interpreting or refining the exercise of dominion, advocating for a form of leadership that is nurturing, self-sacrificial, and responsible, rather than exploitative. Paul further connects humanity's spiritual state to the groaning of creation (Romans 8), suggesting our ethical actions have cosmic implications.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Psalm 8:4-8
Echoes Genesis 1, marveling at humanity's elevated position and dominion over creation.
Romans 8:19-22
Speaks of creation groaning and waiting for humanity's redemption, linking human action to the fate of the natural world.
Colossians 1:15-17
Presents Christ as the one through whom all things were created and hold together, offering a theological lens for understanding creation's order.

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