These are explained in vs. 7, 8 (see Gen. 1). Paul extends the meaning of “all things” so as to show that once again, through the victory of Jesus Christ, man will regain the dominion he had lost (Heb. 2:6-18). Through Christ man is capable of mastery over himself, over the lower orders of creation, and over his fellows, in mutual subjection to the dominion of Christ.

 See Gen. 1:26, 28. Man is an earthly king, with a territory and subjects. This dominion, given him at creation, has never been entirely lost. However, Satan has temporarily usurped dominion and will surrender it only when compelled to do so at the end of time (see Rev. 11:15; cf. Dan. 7:13, 14, 18, 22, 27).