Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. (Genesis 2:19-20)

Naming The Animals

On the fifth and sixth day of creation, God created all the animals. The fish and birds were formed first, and then the land animals. On the fifth day, the waters abounded with great sea creatures and every living thing that moved in the waters. The skies were filled with the winged birds in great abundance. There were no land creatures or man on earth. When the sixth day of creation began, the Lord brought forth the land creatures such as cattle, creeping animals, and beasts. God looked upon His creation and said it was good.

God created man in His image on the sixth day, according to His likeness. Creating the man was different than the animals that preceded him. He bore the likeness of an eternal creature and was given dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over all the earth. God gave man the power to subjugate the animals of the world. As master of the earth, man would rule over the animals in intelligence, wisdom, and eternal nature. Animals would never be equal to men. God gave man the image of the eternal while the animals would be nothing but dust.

Man’s superiority over animals is demonstrated in how God brings the animals to name them. There is a hint of curiosity later when the serpent speaks to Eve, suggesting a means of communication between man and animals. God brings all the animals to Adam to see what he would call them. Adam named all the cattle, birds of the air, and every beast of the field. Whatever name chosen by Adam was the name animals are known by today.

Before the flood, man and animal lived together in harmony. After the flood, the fear and dread of man came upon every beast of the earth, birds of the air, and all that moves on the earth. Man’s dominion changed after the flood when God permitted animals to be eaten for food. Every living thing that lives became food for the man. As ruler of the earth, man’s dominion was over all the animals to be used for his purpose. Adam’s naming of the animals illustrates the authority of rule over all animals as given to him by God.

As Creator, the Lord God has all power and dominion. God gave man the right to rule over the animals because He is the Creator. Adam naming the animals was the first right given by the Lord for man’s dominion over the animals. The rule of dominion continued after the flood when man was allowed to eat the flesh of animals. There were restrictions put upon man not to eat flesh with its life (blood), but man could kill and eat an animal. Under the Law of Moses, the Jews were restricted from eating certain animals, but this only applied to the nation of Israel.

Man’s dominion of the animal kingdom will last until the coming of the Lord. Adam named the animals because he had dominion. Animals share a relationship with man as creatures of the earth, but animals are not eternal and have no spirit that continues after death. The animals did not name themselves. God created them for man, and man rules over the animal world. Whatever name Adam called the animals, that name remains today. The authority of God to allow man to rule over the animals shows His power and might and authority over all things. Animals are subject to man, and man is subject to God.