Reference

Habakkuk 2:20

Dominion Over Creation Stewardship of Creation

“But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Dominion Over Creation

This verse describes God's presence and calls for silence from "all the earth" before Him, which implies God's dominion *over* creation, not humanity's dominion *over* creation. The verse places humanity (as part of "all the earth") in a position of submission to God, rather than authority over the natural world.

Stewardship of Creation

The verse focuses on the Lord's presence in his temple and the appropriate human response of silence and reverence, not on humanity's role in managing or caring for the natural world. There is no mention of creation, tending, keeping, or responsibility for the earth.

Dominion Over Creation

Cross-References

Psalms 46:10Thematic

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Zechariah 2:13Thematic

“Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”

Zephaniah 1:7Thematic

“Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.”

Psalms 11:4Thematic

“The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.”