James 3:7

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

For {G1063} every {G3956} kind {G5449} of beasts {G2342}, and {G5037}{G2532} of birds {G4071}, and {G5037} of serpents {G2062}, and {G2532} of things in the sea {G1724}, is tamed {G1150}, and {G2532} hath been tamed {G1150} of mankind {G5449}{G442}:

For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures;

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:

James 3:7 serves as a powerful illustrative point in James’s broader discourse on the immense power and danger of the tongue. Here, James draws a vivid comparison between the human ability to subdue the natural world and the seemingly impossible task of taming the tongue.

Context

This verse is situated within a crucial section of James's epistle (James 3:1-12) where he meticulously addresses the theme of speech and its profound impact. After warning against many becoming teachers (James 3:1), James emphasizes that while humans possess the remarkable ability to exert dominion over the diverse animal kingdom, they struggle immensely to control their own words. This sets up the dramatic contrast found in the following verse, where he explicitly states the tongue cannot be tamed by man.

Key Themes

  • Human Dominion Over Creation: James highlights mankind’s God-given authority and skill to subdue and domesticate all types of creatures—beasts of the land, birds of the air, reptiles, and marine life. This echoes the creation mandate given in Genesis 1:28 and affirmed in Psalm 8:6-8, where humanity is placed in a position of stewardship over the earth.
  • The Untamable Nature of the Tongue (Implied): By showing what can be tamed, James prepares the reader for the shocking revelation in James 3:8 that the tongue, unlike any animal, remains an untamable force for mankind. This verse underscores the paradox: humans can control external forces of nature, but often fail to control their own internal instrument of speech.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "kind" is physis (φύσις), which refers to the inherent nature or species of something. James emphasizes that it's not just individual animals, but every *category* or *type* of creature that has been brought under human control. The verb "tamed" (Greek: damazetai and dedamastai, from damazō) conveys the idea of subduing, breaking, or bringing into submission. It speaks to the effort and skill required to bring wild creatures under human mastery, making the contrast with the tongue even more stark.

Practical Application

James 3:7 prompts us to reflect on our own capacity for self-control, particularly concerning our words. If humanity, through ingenuity and perseverance, can tame the wildest of creatures, why is the tongue such a persistent challenge? This verse subtly points to the spiritual nature of the battle for speech control. It suggests that while external forces can be managed by human will, the tongue—being so intimately connected to the heart and spirit—requires more than mere human effort. It calls for divine intervention and wisdom, reminding believers that true control over our words often comes from a heart transformed by God, enabling us to use our speech for edification rather than destruction.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 5:4

    Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any [man] tame him.

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