Genesis 9:2
“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.”
KJV
Read in Genesis 9Meaning
The verse describes animals as fearing humans and being placed under human authority in the post-flood world.
Read carefully
Authority over animals does not by itself justify cruelty; the wider biblical narrative still treats animal life as belonging under God's care.
Reflection
Human power over other creatures is presented as real, but power in Scripture remains accountable rather than absolute.