Bible Dictionary
DOMINION
Dominion in several New Testament passages denotes a rank or order of spiritual beings, commonly understood as an angelic order. The word can also refer to authority or rule.
Definition
Dominion means authority, rule, or government. In several New Testament passages, however, the word probably denotes a rank or order of angelic beings.
Biblical Usage
The word translated dominion in Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16 appears to designate an order of angels. The same interpretation is considered probable in Jude 8 and 2 Peter 2:10, where related versions use dominion or government.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>do-min'-yun: In Eph 1:21; Col 1:16 the word so translated (kuriotes) appears to denote a rank or order of angels. The same word is probably to be so interpreted in Jude 1:8 (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "dominion"), and in 2Pe 2:10 (the King James Version "government," the Revised Version (British and American) "dominion"). See ANGEL.</p>