Genesis 1:26
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."
Then God said
The phrase begins with a divine declaration, emphasizing the authority and intentionality of God. The Hebrew word for God here is "Elohim," a plural noun that suggests the majesty and fullness of God. This plurality hints at the Trinitarian nature of God, a foundational belief in conservative Christianity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are involved in creation.

Let Us make
The use of "Us" is significant, indicating a divine council or the plurality within the Godhead. This is one of the earliest scriptural hints of the Trinity. The verb "make" (Hebrew: "asah") implies a deliberate act of creation, distinct from the rest of creation, which was spoken into existence. It suggests a hands-on, personal involvement in the creation of humanity.

man
The Hebrew word "adam" is used here, which can mean "man" or "mankind." It signifies humanity as a whole, created uniquely by God. This creation is distinct from animals, as humans are endowed with a spiritual nature and the capacity for relationship with God.

in Our image, after Our likeness
The terms "image" (Hebrew: "tselem") and "likeness" (Hebrew: "demut") convey the idea of representation and resemblance. Humans are created to reflect God's character and attributes, such as rationality, morality, and the ability to form relationships. This sets humanity apart from the rest of creation and establishes the inherent dignity and worth of every person.

to rule over
The Hebrew word "radah" means to have dominion or authority. This mandate gives humanity stewardship over creation, reflecting God's sovereign rule. It implies responsibility and care, not exploitation, aligning with the biblical principle of stewardship.

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
This comprehensive list underscores the extent of human dominion. It includes all forms of life and the earth itself, highlighting the responsibility given to humanity to manage and care for God's creation. This dominion is a call to stewardship, reflecting God's order and purpose in creation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The Creator, who speaks and initiates the creation of mankind.

2. Man
Refers to humanity, created in the image and likeness of God.

3. Creation
The event of God creating the world and everything in it, culminating in the creation of mankind.

4. Fish, Birds, Livestock, Earth, Creatures
The various elements of creation over which humanity is given dominion.
Teaching Points
The Image of God
Humanity is uniquely created in the image and likeness of God, which imparts inherent dignity and value to every person.

Divine Purpose and Responsibility
Being made in God's image comes with the responsibility to steward and care for creation, reflecting God's character in our actions.

Community and Relationship
The plural language "Let Us make" hints at the relational nature of God, encouraging us to value community and relationships.

Moral and Ethical Living
Recognizing the image of God in ourselves and others should guide our moral and ethical decisions, promoting respect and love.

Renewal and Transformation
As believers, we are called to be renewed in the image of Christ, growing in holiness and reflecting God's character more fully.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to be made in the image and likeness of God, and how should this understanding affect our view of ourselves and others?

2. How does the concept of dominion over creation challenge us to think about environmental stewardship and our responsibility towards the earth?

3. In what ways can recognizing the image of God in others influence our interactions and relationships with them?

4. How does the relational aspect of God, as hinted in "Let Us make," inform our understanding of community and fellowship within the church?

5. How can we actively pursue being renewed in the image of Christ in our daily lives, and what practical steps can we take to reflect His character?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 5:1-2
Reiterates the creation of man in God's likeness, emphasizing the divine image in humanity.

Psalm 8:4-8
Reflects on the honor and responsibility given to humanity to rule over creation.

James 3:9
Discusses the importance of recognizing the image of God in others, impacting how we speak and act.

Colossians 3:10
Encourages believers to put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
Of the First Covenant Made with ManHugh BinningGenesis 1:26
The Likeness of GodCharles KingsleyGenesis 1:26
The Purpose in the Coming of JesusS. D. GordonGenesis 1:26
The Vision of CreationAlexander MaclarenGenesis 1:26
The Sixth DayR.A. Redford Genesis 1:24-31
Care for the BodyH. W. Beecher.Genesis 1:26-27
Fellowship with GodS. Martin.Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis of ManG. D. Boardman.Genesis 1:26-27
God Makes Man Near to HimselfS. Martin.Genesis 1:26-27
God Manifests Himself Through ManS. Martin.Genesis 1:26-27
Love in the Creation of ManDean Alford.Genesis 1:26-27
Man a Creation, not an EvolutionA. H. Strong, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
Man Created in God's ImageA. Furst, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
Man Created in the Divine ImageD. Moore, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
Man Created in the Image of GodArchdeacon Hodson, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
Man in God's ImageS. Martin.Genesis 1:26-27
Man in God's KingdomGenesis 1:26-27
Man Made in the Image of GodM. Gibson, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
Man's Creation and EmpireW. R. Campbell.Genesis 1:26-27
Our AncestorsBenson Bailey.Genesis 1:26-27
Proofs of the Divine in ManJ. O. Dykes, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
The Antiquity of Man Historically ConsideredG. Rawlinson, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
The Creation of ManR.A. Redford Genesis 1:26, 27
The Creation of ManJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
The Creation of ManJ. Burns, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
The Creation of ManH. J. Hastings, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
The Creation of Man in the Divine ImageD. N. Sheldon, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
The Defaced ImageH. R. Burton.Genesis 1:26-27
The Divine Image a Thought Experimentally UsefulS. Martin.Genesis 1:26-27
The Divine Image in ManDean Vaughan.Genesis 1:26-27
The Divine Image in ManThe Evangelical PreacherGenesis 1:26-27
The Divine in ManF. W. Robertson, M. A., L. Bonnet.Genesis 1:26-27
The Image of GodJ. Benson.Genesis 1:26-27
The Image of GodW. S. Smith, B. D.Genesis 1:26-27
The Image of God in ManArchdeacon Hannah.Genesis 1:26-27
The Jewish and the Christian Thought of ManW. Clarkson, B. A.Genesis 1:26-27
The Making of ManJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
The State of InnocenceE. Monro, M. A.Genesis 1:26-27
The Vastness of ManJ. Pulsford.Genesis 1:26-27
What is the Image of God in Which Man was CreatedR. South, D. D.Genesis 1:26-27
People
Adam
Places
Eden
Topics
Air, Along, Animal, Birds, Cattle, Creatures, Creepeth, Creeping, Creeps, Dominion, Fish, Flat, Fowl, Goes, Ground, Heavens, Image, Likeness, Livestock, Move, Rule, Sky
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 1:26

     1511   Trinity, relationships in
     2221   Christ, Son of Man
     4203   earth, the
     4642   fish
     5053   responsibility, for world
     8138   monotheism

Genesis 1:1-31

     1653   numbers, 6-10
     5272   craftsmen

Genesis 1:20-26

     4017   life, animal and plant

Genesis 1:20-30

     4612   birds

Genesis 1:24-27

     4006   creation, origin

Genesis 1:24-28

     4604   animals, nature of

Genesis 1:25-26

     4029   world, human beings in

Genesis 1:26-27

     4016   life, human
     5020   human nature
     5023   image of God
     5034   likeness
     5093   Eve
     5441   philosophy
     5682   family, significance
     5971   uniqueness
     5974   value
     6730   reinstatement
     8206   Christlikeness
     8310   morality, and creation
     8322   perfection, human

Genesis 1:26-28

     1194   glory, divine and human
     1325   God, the Creator
     5267   control
     6710   privileges
     8243   ethics, social
     8472   respect, for environment

Genesis 1:26-29

     5081   Adam, life of

Genesis 1:26-30

     4060   nature

Library
God's World
(Preached before the Prince of Wales, at Sandringham, 1866.) GENESIS i. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. It may seem hardly worth while to preach upon this text. Every one thinks that he believes it. Of course--they say--we know that God made the world. Teach us something we do not know, not something which we do. Why preach to us about a text which we fully understand, and believe already? Because, my friends, there are few texts in the Bible more difficult to believe
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The vision of Creation
'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. So God created man in His own image: in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian Men...
IN the present crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian men, the task of destroying confidence in the first chapter of Genesis has been undertaken by Mr. C. W. Goodwin, M.A. He requires us to "regard it as the speculation of some Hebrew Descartes or Newton, promulgated in all good faith as the best and most probable account that could be then given of God's Universe." (p. 252.) Mr. Goodwin remarks with scorn, that "we are asked to believe that a vision of Creation was presented to him
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Human Nature (Septuagesima Sunday. )
GENESIS i. 27. So God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. On this Sunday the Church bids us to begin to read the book of Genesis, and hear how the world was made, and how man was made, and what the world is, and who man is. And why? To prepare us, I think, for Lent, and Passion week, Good Friday, and Easter day. For you must know what a thing ought to be, before you can know what it ought not to be; you must know what health is, before
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

God's Creation
GENESIS i. 31. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good. This is good news, and a gospel. The Bible was written to bring good news, and therefore with good news it begins, and with good news it ends. But it is not so easy to believe. We want faith to believe; and that faith will be sometimes sorely tried. Yes; we want faith. As St. Paul says: 'Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; so that things which are seen were not made of
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

The Likeness of God
(Trinity Sunday.) GENESIS i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. This is a hard saying. It is difficult at times to believe it to be true. If one looks not at what God has made man, but at what man has made himself, one will never believe it to be true. When one looks at what man has made himself; at the back streets of some of our great cities; at the thousands of poor Germans and Irish across the ocean bribed to kill and to be killed, they know not why; at the
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

God in Christ
(Septuagesima Sunday.) GENESIS i. I. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. We have begun this Sunday to read the book of Genesis. I trust that you will listen to it as you ought--with peculiar respect and awe, as the oldest part of the Bible, and therefore the oldest of all known works--the earliest human thought which has been handed down to us. And what is the first written thought which has been handed down to us by the Providence of Almighty God? 'In the beginning God created
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Of Creation
Heb. xi. 3.--"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."--Gen. i. 1. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." We are come down from the Lord's purposes and decrees to the execution of them, which is partly in the works of creation and partly in the works of providence. The Lord having resolved upon it to manifest his own glory did in that due and predeterminate time apply his
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the First Covenant Made with Man
Gen. ii. 17.--"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die."--Gen. i. 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." The state wherein man was created at first, you heard was exceeding good,--all
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

South -- the Image of God in Man
Robert South, who was born in the borough of Hackney, London, England, in 1638, attracted wide attention by his vigorous mind and his clear, argumentative style in preaching. Some of his sermons are notable specimens of pulpit eloquence. A keen analytical mind, great depth of feeling, and wide range of fancy combined to make him a powerful and impressive speaker. By some critics his style has been considered unsurpassed in force and beauty. What he lacked in tenderness was made up in masculine strength.
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Vol. 2

Gordon -- Man in the Image of God
George Angier Gordon, Congregational divine, was born in Scotland, 1853. He was educated at Harvard, and has been minister of Old South Church, Boston, Massachusetts, since 1884. His pulpit style is conspicuous for its directness and forcefulness, and he is considered in a high sense the successor of Philip Brooks. He was lecturer in the Lowell Institute Course, 1900; Lyman Beecher Lecturer, Yale, 1901; university preacher to Harvard, 1886-1890; to Yale, 1888-1901; Harvard overseer. He is the author
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10

An Essay on the Mosaic Account of the Creation and Fall of Man
THERE are not a few difficulties in the account, which Moses has given of the creation of the world, and of the formation, and temptation, and fall of our first parents. Some by the six days of the creation have understood as many years. Whilst others have thought the creation of the world instantaneous: and that the number of days mentioned by Moses is only intended to assist our conception, who are best able to think of things in order of succession. No one part of this account is fuller of difficulties,
Nathaniel Lardner—An Essay on the Mosaic Account of the Creation and Fall of Man

The Christian's God
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1; 17:1; Exodus 34:6,7; 20:3-7; Deuteronomy 32:4; 33:27; Isaiah 40:28; 45:21; Psalm 90:2; 145:17; 139:1-12; John 1:1-5; 1:18; 4:23,24; 14:6-11; Matthew 28:19,20; Revelation 4:11; 22:13. WHO IS GOD? How Shall We Think of God?--"Upon the conception that is entertained of God will depend the nature and quality of the religion of any soul or race; and in accordance with the view that is held of God, His nature, His character and His relation to other beings, the spirit
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Christian Man
Scripture references: Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7; 9:6; Job 33:4; Psalm 100:3; 8:4-9; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Hebrews 2:6,7; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 2:9. WHAT IS MAN? What Shall We Think of Man?--Who is he? What is his place on the earth and in the universe? What is his destiny? He is of necessity an object of thought. He is the subject of natural laws, instincts and passions. How far is he free; how far bound?
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Work of the Holy Spirit Distinguished.
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."--Gen. i. 2. What, in general, is the work of the Holy Spirit as distinguished from that of the Father and of the Son? Not that every believer needs to know these distinctions in all particulars. The existence of faith does not depend upon intellectual distinctions. The main question is not whether we can distinguish the work of the Father from that of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, but whether we have experienced their gracious operations.
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Image and Likeness.
"Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness." --Gen. i. 26. Glorious is the divine utterance that introduces the origin and creation of man: "And God created man after His own image and after His own likeness; after the image of God created He him" (Dutch translation). The significance of these important words was recently discussed by the well-known professor, Dr. Edward Böhl, of Vienna. According to him it should read: Man is created "in", not "after" God's image, i.e., the image is
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Creation
Q-7: WHAT ARE THE DECREES OF GOD? A: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever shall come to pass. I have already spoken something concerning the decrees of God under the attribute of his immutability. God is unchangeable in his essence, and he-is unchangeable in his decrees; his counsel shall stand. He decrees the issue of all things, and carries them on to their accomplishment by his providence; I
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Opinion of St. Augustin
Concerning His Confessions, as Embodied in His Retractations, II. 6 1. "The Thirteen Books of my Confessions whether they refer to my evil or good, praise the just and good God, and stimulate the heart and mind of man to approach unto Him. And, as far as pertaineth unto me, they wrought this in me when they were written, and this they work when they are read. What some think of them they may have seen, but that they have given much pleasure, and do give pleasure, to many brethren I know. From the
St. Augustine—The Confessions and Letters of St

On Genesis.
[1139] Gen. i. 5 And it was evening, and it was morning, one day. Hippolytus. He did not say [1140] "night and day," but "one day," with reference to the name of the light. He did not say the "first day;" for if he had said the "first" day, he would also have had to say that the "second" day was made. But it was right to speak not of the "first day," but of "one day," in order that by saying "one," he might show that it returns on its orbit and, while it remains one, makes up the week. Gen. i. 6
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus

The Sovereignty of God in Creation
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11). Having shown that Sovereignty characterises the whole Being of God, let us now observe how it marks all His ways and dealings. In the great expanse of eternity which stretches behind Genesis 1:1, the universe was unborn and creation existed only in the mind of the great Creator. In His Sovereign majesty God dwelt all alone. We refer to that
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras, Falls to Plundering.
1. And thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted, when, upon their ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, they betook themselves to make preparations for the war with the Romans. Now in Jerusalem the high priest Artanus, and do as many of the men of power as were not in the interest of the Romans, both repaired the walls, and made a great many warlike instruments, insomuch that in all parts of the city darts and all sorts of armor were upon the anvil. Although the multitude of the young
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

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