“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
This verse marks the most significant turning point in the creation account of Genesis 1 — God says 'let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.' The plural 'us' and 'our' has generated centuries of theological discussion; most evangelical interpreters understand it as an early indication of the triune nature of God, a reading confirmed by John 1:1–3's account of the Word's role in creation. The image of God (Latin: imago Dei) is the defining description of humanity — it is not about physical appearance but about capacity for relationship, reason, moral agency, and dominion. God immediately assigns humanity the role of ruling over every other living creature. Psalm 8:4–6 marvels at this dignity given to humanity, and James 3:9 warns that cursing people is inconsistent with their being made in God's image. Today's application: every person you interact with bears the image of God — treat one person today with deliberate dignity based not on their behavior or status but on what they fundamentally are.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000
MB
Markus Bauer (test user)1w agoThe image of God
Let us make man in our image — the plural has fascinated theologians for centuries. Whether it points forward to the Trinity, or reflects the ancient literary convention of a divine council, what is u...
17
LH
Lena Hoffmann (test user)1w agoThe image of God
"Let us make man in our image" — the plural has fascinated theologians for centuries. Whether it points forward to the Trinity, or reflects the ancient literary convention of a divine council, what is...
8
CR
Chiara Russo (test user)1w agoOur image
Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. The plural — our image, our likeness — has drawn reflection from every generation of theologians. The Christian tradition reads this as the first ech...
1