James 3:7 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Humanity has tamed every kind of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature.
What Does James 3:7 Mean?
James sets up a humbling contrast. Every kind of creature, beasts and birds, reptiles and sea creatures, has been tamed and is being tamed by humankind. The whole animal world, however wild, has yielded to human mastery.
The breadth of the claim is deliberate. Across earth, sky, and sea, there is no creature people have not learned to subdue. Human skill has reached into every domain of the living world. James recites this dominion only to make the next verse land harder. If we can tame the lion and the serpent, surely we can tame the small member in our own mouths. The setup leads the reader to expect a triumph of self-mastery, which James is about to deny.
James 3:7 in the Original Language
damazo (δαμάζω), 'tamed' -- to subdue, control, or bring under mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions About James 3:7
What does James 3:7 mean?
Humanity has tamed every kind of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature.