God blessed them: See study note on 1:22; also see 17:16; 48:16; Deuteronomy 7:13.
said: God speaks directly and intimately to humans. We are caretakers of his shared authority.
subdue it; rule: As representatives of God's rule, humans are responsible for taking care of the world God created and managing it (see also Genesis 9:2; Psalm 8:5–8).