Reigning Over, Not on, the Earth?

From: Questions and Answers on Scripture: From the Bible Treasury

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Psalm 46:8 • 1 min. read • grade level: 8

Question: Rev. 5:10¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10). It is alleged that the Sept. Psa. 46:8⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. (Psalm 46:8), and Matt. 6:10¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10), render doubtful the view that the text in the Revelation means reigning over, rather than on, the earth. Is it really so?

Answer: The accusative is used for the object where activity was to be expressed. The propriety of this as to the nations is plain. The dative (among other senses) is employed for fixed relationship where it is not condition, occasion, or circumstance. The genitive expresses rather the simple fact. But there is another element in the text, which distinguishes it from Matt. 6:10¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10), the usage of the preposition with verbs of governing; and the Septuagint abounds with proofs that, as ἐν is used for the locality where the king lived, ἐπὶ is for the sphere of his reign.

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