Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:26 in Multiple Translations
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
¶ 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.
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 birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth.
God said, “Let us make human beings in our image who are like us. They will have authority over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over the whole of the earth and every creature that moves on it.”
Furthermore God said, Let vs make man in our image according to our likenes, and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the foule of the heauen, and ouer the beastes, and ouer all the earth, and ouer euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth.
And God saith, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.'
God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
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 animal that creepeth upon the earth.
And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
Then God said, “Now we will make human beings that will be like us in many ways. I want them to rule over the fish in the sea, over the birds, over all the ◄livestock/domestic animals►, and over all the other creatures that scurry across the ground.”
Then God said, “We are going to make people. They will be like us. They will be boss over the fish and everything that lives in the sea, and they will be boss over the birds that fly in the sky, and they will be boss over all the animals that are on the land, the animals that are wild, and the animals that are not wild, and all the lizards, and insects, and other things that crawl around on the ground. People will be boss over all of them.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 1:26
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 1:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
אָדָ֛ם
בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ
כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ
וְיִרְדּוּ֩
בִדְגַ֨ת
הַיָּ֜ם
וּבְע֣וֹף
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙
וּבְכָל־
הָאָ֔רֶץ
וּבְכָל־
הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ
הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ
עַל־
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
Then God
Noun - masculine plural
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
way·yō·mer
H559
said
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
na·‘ă·śeh
H6213
Let Us make
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
אָדָ֛ם
’ā·ḏām
H120
man
Noun - masculine singular
בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ
bə·ṣal·mê·nū
H6754
in Our image
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ
kiḏ·mū·ṯê·nū
H1823
after Our likeness
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
וְיִרְדּוּ֩
wə·yir·dū
H7287
to rule
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
בִדְגַ֨ת
ḇiḏ·ḡaṯ
H1710
over the fish
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
הַיָּ֜ם
hay·yām
H3220
of the sea
Article | Noun - masculine singular
וּבְע֣וֹף
ū·ḇə·‘ō·wp̄
H5775
and the birds
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
haš·šā·ma·yim
H8064
of the air
Article | Noun - masculine plural
וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙
ū·ḇab·bə·hê·māh
H929
over the livestock
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
and over all
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
הָאָ֔רֶץ
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
the earth itself
Article | Noun - feminine singular
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
and every
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ
hā·re·meś
H7431
creature
Article | Noun - masculine singular
הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ
hā·rō·mêś
H7430
that crawls
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
עַל־
‘al-
H5921
upon
Preposition
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
[it]
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 1:26
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
’ĕ·lō·hîm
H430
"Then God"
Noun - masculine plural
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2247 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
way·yō·mer
H559
"said"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
na·‘ă·śeh
H6213
"Let Us make"
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2285 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אָדָ֛ם
’ā·ḏām
H120
"man"
Noun - masculine singular
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:28; Psalms 8:4.
בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ
bə·ṣal·mê·nū
H6754
"in Our image"
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
This word means image or likeness, often referring to idols or illusions, and is used to describe the resemblance of something, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) image 1a) images (of tumours, mice, heathen gods) 1b) image, likeness (of resemblance) 1c) mere, empty, image, semblance (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: tse.lem (צְלֵם "image" H6755)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: image, vain shew. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Kings 11:18; Psalms 39:6.
כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ
kiḏ·mū·ṯê·nū
H1823
"after Our likeness"
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
This word refers to a likeness or resemblance, often used to describe something that is similar to something else. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, describing creation and God's relationship with humanity. It helps us understand how things are connected.
Definition: 1) likeness, similitude adv 2) in the likeness of, like as
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude. See also: Genesis 1:26; Ezekiel 1:16; Psalms 58:4.
וְיִרְדּוּ֩
wə·yir·dū
H7287
"to rule"
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; Nehemiah 9:28; Psalms 49:14.
בִדְגַ֨ת
ḇiḏ·ḡaṯ
H1710
"over the fish"
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
This Hebrew word also means fish, similar to H1709, and is used to describe fish in the Bible, often in stories about fishing and the sea.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 1:26; Psalms 105:29; Isaiah 50:2.
הַיָּ֜ם
hay·yām
H3220
"of the sea"
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:8.
וּבְע֣וֹף
ū·ḇə·‘ō·wp̄
H5775
"and the birds"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
haš·šā·ma·yim
H8064
"of the air"
Article | Noun - masculine plural
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙
ū·ḇab·bə·hê·māh
H929
"over the livestock"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:7.
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
"and over all"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4240 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָאָ֔רֶץ
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
"the earth itself"
Article | Noun - feminine singular
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וּבְכָל־
ū·ḇə·ḵāl
H3605
"and every"
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4240 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ
hā·re·meś
H7431
"creature"
Article | Noun - masculine singular
This Hebrew word refers to small moving animals like reptiles. It appears in the Bible to describe creatures that creep or crawl on the ground. In the book of Genesis, God creates these animals to inhabit the earth.
Definition: 1) creeping things, moving things, creeping organism 1a) creeping things 1b) gliding things (of sea animals) 1c) moving things (of all animals)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: that creepeth, creeping (moving) thing. See also: Genesis 1:24; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 104:25.
הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ
hā·rō·mêś
H7430
"that crawls"
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
This Hebrew word means to creep or move lightly, often used to describe the movement of animals. It appears in the Bible to describe the action of creeping things, such as insects or reptiles. In KJV translations, it is rendered as 'creep' or 'move'.
Definition: 1) to creep, move lightly, move about, walk on all fours 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to creep, teem (of all creeping things) 1a2) to creep (of animals) 1a3) to move lightly, glide about (of water animals) 1a4) to move about (of all land animals generally)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: creep, move. See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 69:34.
עַל־
‘al-
H5921
"upon"
Preposition
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4492 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
hā·’ā·reṣ
H776
"[it]"
Article | Noun - feminine singular
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Genesis 1:26
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Context — The Sixth Day
24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.
25God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colossians 3:10 | and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. |
| 2 | Ephesians 4:24 | and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. |
| 3 | Psalms 8:4–8 | what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet: all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. |
| 4 | Genesis 3:22 | Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever...” |
| 5 | Genesis 5:1 | This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in His own likeness. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. |
| 7 | Psalms 100:3 | Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. |
| 8 | Genesis 9:2–4 | The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things. But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it. |
| 9 | Isaiah 64:8 | But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. |
| 10 | Colossians 1:15 | The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. |
Genesis 1:26 Summary
Genesis 1:26 tells us that God created humans in His own image, which means we have a special connection to God and are meant to reflect His character. This verse also explains that God gave humans the responsibility to care for and manage the earth and its creatures, as seen in verses like Genesis 2:15 and Psalm 24:1. As humans, we are called to be good stewards of the earth and to trust in God's sovereignty and provision. By understanding our role and purpose, we can fulfill our duty to God and to the earth, and live in a way that honors our Creator, as seen in verses like Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 11:18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for humans to be created in God's image?
Being created in God's image, as stated in Genesis 1:26, means that humans have been given a unique capacity to reflect God's character and nature, as seen in qualities like love, wisdom, and creativity, and is further explained in verses like Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 8:5.
Why did God create humans to rule over the earth and its creatures?
According to Genesis 1:26, God created humans to have dominion over the earth and its creatures, which is a reflection of God's sovereignty and trust in humanity, as also seen in Psalm 115:16 and Genesis 2:15.
What is the significance of God saying 'Let Us make man in Our image'?
The phrase 'Let Us make man in Our image' in Genesis 1:26 suggests a divine council or conversation within the Godhead, implying a unity and cooperation between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the creation of humanity, as supported by verses like John 1:1-3 and Hebrews 1:2.
How does this verse relate to humanity's purpose and responsibility?
Genesis 1:26 indicates that humanity's purpose is not only to exist, but to have a relationship with God and to care for and manage the earth and its resources, as further emphasized in Genesis 2:15 and Psalm 24:1.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can reflect God's image in my daily life, and how can I grow in my understanding of what it means to be created in God's likeness?
- In what ways am I currently exercising my God-given dominion over the earth and its creatures, and are there areas where I need to improve my stewardship?
- How can I balance my role as a caretaker of the earth with my responsibility to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in verses like Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 24:1?
- What does it mean for me to be a representative of God on earth, and how can I fulfill this role in my relationships and interactions with others, as seen in verses like 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Matthew 5:14-16?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 1:26
And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness,.... These words are directed not to the earth, out of which man was made, as consulting with it, and to be assisting in the formation
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 1:26
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 1:26
God had now prepared all things necessary for man’ s use and comfort. The plurals us and our afford an evident proof of a plurality of persons in the Godhead. It is plain from many other texts, as well as from the nature and reason of the thing, that God alone is man’ s Creator: the angels rejoiced at the work of creation, but only God wrought it, . And it is no less plain from this text, and from divers other places, that man had more Creators than one person: see , &c.; . And as other texts assure us that there is but one God, so this shows that there are more persons in the Godhead; nor can that seeming contradiction of one and more being in the Godhead be otherwise reconciled, than by acknowledging a plurality of persons in the unity of essence. It is pretended that God here speaks after the manner of princes, in the plural number, who use to say: We will and require, or, It is our pleasure. But this is only the invention and practice of latter times, and no way agreeable to the simplicity, either of the first ages of the world, or of the Hebrew style. The kings of Israel used to speak of themselves in the singular number, , , , . And so did the eastern monarchs too, yea, even in their decrees and orders, which now run in the plural number, as , I (Darius) make a decree; , I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree. Nor do I remember one example in Scripture to the contrary.
It is therefore a rash and presumptuous attempt, without any warrant, to thrust the usages of modern style into the sacred Scripture. Besides, the Lord doth generally speak of himself in the singular number, some few places excepted, wherein the plural number is used for the signification of this mystery. Moreover, this device is utterly overthrown by comparing this text with : The Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us. Therefore there are more persons than one in the Godhead. How many they are other texts plainly inform us, as we shall see in their proper places. And whereas he saith not now as he did before: Let the earth or waters bring forth, but, Let us make; this change of the phrase and manner of expression shows that man was, as the last, so the most perfect and the chief of the ways and works of God in this lower world. After our likeness. Image and likeness are two words noting the same thing, even exact likeness. For both of them are used of Adam, : He begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and they are separately and indifferently used in the same sense, man being said to be made in the likeness of God, , and in the image of God, . Quest.
Wherein doth the image of God in man consist? Answ. 1.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:26 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.Ver. 26. And God said, Let us make man.] Man is the masterpiece of God’ s handiwork. Sun, moon, and stars are but "the work of his fingers," but man the work of his hands. He is made of divine nature, made by counsel at first, "Let us make," &c.; and his body, which is but the soul’ s sheath is still "curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth," that is, in the womb; as curious workmen, when they have some choice piece in hand, they perfect it in private, and then bring it forth to light for men to gaze at. "Thine hands have made me" (or took special pains about me), "and fashioned me," saith Job. "Thou hast formed me by the book," saith David, yea, embroidered me with nerves, veins, and variety of limbs, miracles enough, saith one, beteen head and foot, to fill a volume. There are six hundred muscles, saith another out of Galen, in the body of man; and every one fitted for ten uses: so for bones, nerves, arteries, and veins, whosoever observeth their use, situation, and correspondency of them, cannot but fall into admiration of the wisdom of the Maker; who hath thus exactly framed all things at first out of nothing; and still out of the froth of the blood. Man, saith a heathen, is the bold attempt of daring nature; the fair workmanship of a wise artificer,’ saith another; the greatest of all miracles, saith a third. And surely should a man be born into the world but once in a hundred years, all the world would run to see the wonder. Galen, that profane man, was forced, upon the description of man and the parts of his body only, to sing a hymn to the Creator, whom yet he knew not.
I make here, saith he, a true hymn in the honour of our Maker; whose service, I believe verily, consisteth not in the sacrificing of hecatombs, or in burning great heaps of frankincense before him, but in acknowledging the greatness of his wisdom, power, and goodness; and in making the same known to others, &c. And, in another place, Who is he, saith Galen, which, looking but only upon the skin of a thing, wondereth not at the cunning of the Creator? Yet, notwithstanding, he dissembleth not that he had tried by all means to find some reason of the composing of living creatures; and that he would rather have fathered the doing thereof upon nature, than upon the very Author of nature. And in the end, concludeth thus: I confess that I know not what the soul is, though I have sought very narrowly for it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 1:26
(26) Let us make man.—Comp. Genesis 11:7. The making of man is so ushered in as to show that at length the work of creation had reached its perfection and ultimate goal. As regards the use of the plural here, Maimonides thinks that God took counsel with the earth, the latter supplying the body and Elohim the soul. But it is denied in Isaiah 40:13 that God ever took counsel with any one but Himself. The Jewish interpreters generally think that the angels are meant. More truly and more reverently we may say that this first chapter of Genesis is the chapter of mysteries, and just as “the wind of God” in Genesis 1:2 was the pregnant germ which grew into the revelation of the Holy Ghost, so in Elohim, the many powers concentrated in one being, lies the germ of the doctrine of a plurality of persons in the Divine Unity. It is not a formal proof of the Trinity, nor do believers in the inspiration of Holy Scripture so use it. What they affirm is, that from the very beginning the Bible is full of such germs, and that no one of them remains barren, but all develop, and become Christian truths. There is in this first book a vast array of figures, types, indications, yearnings, hopes, fears, promises, and express predictions, which advance onwards like an ever-deepening river, and when they all find a logical fulfilment in one way, the conclusion is that that fulfilment is not only true, but was intended.
Man.—Hebrew, Adam. In Assyrian the name for man is also adamu, or admu. In that literature, so marvellously preserved to our days, Sir H. Rawlinson thinks that he has traced the first man up to the black or Accadian race. It is hopeless to attempt any derivation of the name, as it must have existed before any of the verbs and nouns from which commentators attempt to give it a meaning; and the adâmâh, or “tilled ground,” of which we shall soon hear so much, evidently had its name from Adam. In our image, after our likeness.—The human body is after God’s image only as being the means whereby man attains to dominion: for dominion is God’s attribute, inasmuch as He is sole Lord. Man’s body, therefore, as that of one who rules, is erect, and endowed with speech, that he may give the word of command. The soul is first, in God’s image. This, as suggesting an external likeness, may refer to man’s reason, free-will, self-consciousness, and so on. But it is, secondly, in God’s likeness, which implies something closer and more inward.
It refers to man’s moral powers, and especially to his capacity of attaining unto holiness. Now man has lost neither of these two. (Comp. Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9.) Both were weakened and defiled by the fall, but were still retained in a greater or less degree.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 1:26
Verse 26. And God said, Let us make man] It is evident that God intends to impress the mind of man with a sense of something extraordinary in the formation of his body and soul, when he introduces the account of his creation thus; Let US make man. The word אדם Adam, which we translate man, is intended to designate the species of animal, as חיתו chaitho, marks the wild beasts that live in general a solitary life; בהמה behemah, domestic or gregarious animals; and רמש remes, all kinds of reptiles, from the largest snake to the microscopic eel. Though the same kind of organization may be found in man as appears in the lower animals, yet there is a variety and complication in the parts, a delicacy of structure, a nice arrangement, a judicious adaptation of the different members to their great offices and functions, a dignity of mien, and a perfection of the whole, which are sought for in vain in all other creatures. See Genesis 3:22. In our image, after our likeness] What is said above refers only to the body of man, what is here said refers to his soul. This was made in the image and likeness of God. Now, as the Divine Being is infinite, he is neither limited by parts, nor definable by passions; therefore he can have no corporeal image after which he made the body of man. The image and likeness must necessarily be intellectual; his mind, his soul, must have been formed after the nature and perfections of his God. The human mind is still endowed with most extraordinary capacities; it was more so when issuing out of the hands of its Creator.
God was now producing a spirit, and a spirit, too, formed after the perfections of his own nature. God is the fountain whence this spirit issued, hence the stream must resemble the spring which produced it. God is holy, just, wise, good, and perfect; so must the soul be that sprang from him: there could be in it nothing impure, unjust, ignorant, evil, low, base, mean, or vile. It was created after the image of God; and that image, St. Paul tells us, consisted in righteousness, true holiness, and knowledge, Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10. Hence man was wise in his mind, holy in his heart, and righteous in his actions. Were even the word of God silent on this subject, we could not infer less from the lights held out to us by reason and common sense. The text tells us he was the work of ELOHIM, the Divine Plurality, marked here more distinctly by the plural pronouns US and OUR; and to show that he was the masterpiece of God's creation, all the persons in the Godhead are represented as united in counsel and effort to produce this astonishing creature.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 1:26
24–31. Sixth Day: (a) Creation of the Land Animals (Genesis 1:24-25); (b) Creation of Man (Genesis 1:26-30); (c) The End of the Creation (Genesis 1:31),
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 1:26
26. Let us make man in our image — This form of speaking in the first person plural is explained by some as conformity to the usage of human dignitaries, who are accustomed to speak of themselves in
Sermons on Genesis 1:26
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Basics) 12. God's Word Renews Our Mind by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the Word of God and the Holy Spirit can transform our chaotic and dark lives into something excellent and very good, just as God did with |
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(The Chief End of Man - Part 1): Worshippers of the Most High by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the reason for the gospel and the need for conversion. He states that many people in the world suffer from s |
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(2008 Usa Tour) Marriage! the Scriptures! by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of love and obedience within the family. He emphasizes that husbands should love their wives as they love themselves, and wiv |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 14:12 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He uses the example of Daniel from the book of Daniel in the Bible, |
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(Genesis) Evolution vs Creation by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of evolution and its contrast with the biblical account of creation. He emphasizes that the true origin of the universe is unknow |
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(Bible Analysis of Man) Man in the Bible - Part 2 by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of new creation and the transformation that takes place within individuals. He highlights the importance of love and how it can |
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K-042 True Manhood by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of complete surrender to God. He describes surrender as falling on one's face before God in utter submission. The speaker warn |