Made in the Image of God – Genesis 1:26–27

Then 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 birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  (Genesis 1:26–27)

Few passages in Scripture carry more theological weight per word than this.

In just two verses, we are told:

– Who God is

– Who humanity is

– Why human life has value

– What our purpose is in the world

Let’s break it down carefully, historically, and biblically, and examine what is communicated here.

1. “Let Us Make Man” — Who Is Speaking?

The verse opens with something striking:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man…’”

The Hebrew word for God here is אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), a grammatically plural noun paired with singular verbs throughout Genesis 1.

This isn’t polytheism.

Israel never believed in multiple gods. Instead, this plural language hints at complex unity within God, pointing more so at the Trinitarianism of God.

What does this mean?

Ancient Jewish readers understood this as divine deliberation, not God speaking to angels (angels are never creators).

Christian theology later recognizes this as consistent with the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit acting together.

The New Testament affirms this:

“All things were made through Him” (John 1:3)

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2)

Genesis doesn’t explain the Trinity entirely, but it leaves fingerprints.

2. “Image” and “Likeness” — What Makes Humans Unique?

Two key Hebrew terms appear:

• “image” — צלם (tselem)

• “likeness” — דְּמוּת (demuth)

In the ancient Near East, a tselem was often a statue or representative of a king placed in distant lands to signify his authority.

Meaning:

To be made in God’s image, means humans are His living representatives on earth.

This does not mean:

• We look physically like God

• We become gods ourselves

It does mean we reflect God in specific ways:

• Rationality and moral awareness

• Capacity for relationships

• Creativity and stewardship

• Ability to exercise authority responsibly

“Image” speaks to function and role, not physical form.

3. Dominion — Authority With Responsibility

“…and let them have dominion…”

The Hebrew word רָדָה (radah) means to rule or govern, but not exploit.

Biblical dominion is:

Stewardship, not abuse.

Leadership, not tyranny.

Caretaking on God’s behalf.

Humans are not owners of creation. We are mere deputies, ruling under God’s authority.

This corrects two extremes:

a. Nature is not divine

b. Humans are not disposable

Creation matters because humans reflect God within it.

4. “So God Created” — A Deliberate Act

Verse 27 slows down and becomes poetic:

“So God created man…”

The Hebrew verb בָּרָא (bara) is used only of God’s creative action, never of humans. It emphasizes intentionality, not accident.

Then something crucial:

“…male and female he created them.”

Both sexes equally bear God’s image.

Not one more than the other, and not one as a secondary addition.

This is radical in the ancient world and remains foundational today.

Human dignity is not based on:

Intelligence,

Strength,

Productivity,

or Social status.

It is rooted solely in being created by God.

Why This Still Matters Today

Genesis 1:26–27 forms the backbone of the sanctity of human life, Biblical justice, human rights, sexual ethics, marriage, the value of work and creativity!

When society forgets the image of God, people become objects… used, discarded, or redefined.

When Scripture is believed, every person—born or unborn, weak or strong, believer or not—has inherent worth.

Genesis doesn’t begin with commandments.

It begins with identity.

Before sin.

Before law.

Before failure.

Humanity is declared.

• Created

• Commissioned

• Valued

You are not an accident of biology!

You are not merely stardust with consciousness, formed out of chaos and the irrational…

You were intentionally made to reflect the living God.