Creation Account in Genesis 1 and 2: Image of God
Genesis 1:27 states, "And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them" (BBE) [1]. This verse is central to understanding humanity's unique place in creation, establishing that humans are distinct from all other created beings.
The creation account in Genesis 1:1–2:3 introduces the Pentateuch, teaching that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God, not by the deities of surrounding nations [5]. The creation narrative emphasizes God's powerful word, as nothing in chapter 1 is created apart from God's command, such as "Let there be..." [6]. God declares his work "good" seven times in chapter 1, culminating in the declaration that everything is "very good" after the creation of human beings [7].
The Hebrew word for "create," bara, is used specifically in Genesis 1 for three key acts: the origin of matter, the origin of life, and the origin of humanity's soul [2]. This highlights the distinctiveness of these creative acts. The creation of humanity is presented as a unique event, occurring on the sixth day after the formation of the earth and the creation of other living creatures [9]. God blessed three specific things in creation: animal life, human life, and the Sabbath day, indicating humanity's role to exercise dominion and participate in God's rest [5].
The phrase "image of God" (Hebrew: tselem Elohim) signifies humanity's special relationship with the Creator. While the exact nature of this "image" has been interpreted in various ways, it generally points to qualities that reflect God's nature. Some interpretations suggest that this image includes humanity's knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, as seen in Adam's ability to name animals and his approval of the marriage relationship [8]. The creation of humanity as male and female is explicitly part of being made in God's image [1]. This is further emphasized in Genesis 5:1, which states, "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him" [3].
The concept of humanity being made in God's image is foundational throughout biblical theology. Paul refers to this in 1 Corinthians 11:7, stating that "man is made in God’s image" [10]. The New Testament also connects this concept to Christ. Colossians 1:15 describes Christ as "the image of the invisible God," indicating that He is the "exact likeness and perfect Representative" of God [11]. This suggests that humanity's original creation in God's image finds its ultimate expression and restoration in Christ [11]. The work of creation is attributed to the Godhead, including the Father, the Son (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17), and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2) [4]. This underscores the divine intentionality behind humanity's creation in God's image.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 1:27 (BBE) — And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Creation — (The creation of all things is ascribed in the Bible to God, and is the only reasonable account of the origin of the world. The method of creation is not stated in Genesis, and as far as the account there is concerned, each part of it may be, after the first acts of creation, by evolution, or by direct act of God's will. The word create (bara) is used but three times in the first chapter of Genesis-- (1) as to the origin of matter; (2) as to the origin of life; (3) as to the origin of man's soul; and science has always failed to do any of these acts thus as”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 5:1 cross-references: Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:4, Genesis 6:9, Genesis 10:1, 1 Chronicles 1:1, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:36, 1 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 12:9”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:1: 1:1–2:3 These verses introduce the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) and teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God and not by the gods of surrounding nations. • God blessed three specific things: animal life (1:22-25), human life (1:27), and the Sabbath day (2:3). This trilogy of blessings highlights the Creator’s plan: Humankind was made in God’s image to enjoy sovereign dominion over the creatures of the earth and to participate in God’s Sabbath rest. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: This statem”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:3: 1:3-13 In the first three days, God formed the chaos into a habitable world. 1:3 Then God said: Nothing in ch 1 is created apart from God’s powerful word (cp. Ps 33:6, 9). • “Let there be . . .” and there was: God’s command enacted his will to create the world. God is not a part of creation or limited by it; he is the supreme ruler over everything (cp. Neh 9:6).”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:31: 1:31 The Creator declares his work good seven times in ch 1; following the creation of human beings, God declares it all very good.”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 2:24: one flesh--The human pair differed from all other pairs, that by peculiar formation of Eve, they were one. And this passage is appealed to by our Lord as the divine institution of marriage (Mat 19:4-5; Eph 5:28). Thus Adam appears as a creature formed after the image of God--showing his knowledge by giving names to the animals, his righteousness by his approval of the marriage relation, and his holiness by his principles and feelings, and finding gratification in the service and enjoyment of God. Next: Genesis Chapter 3”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 1 (introduction): This chapter contains an account of the creation of the universe, and all things in it; asserts the creation of the heaven and earth in general, and describes the state and condition of the earth in its first production, Gen 1:1 and then proceeds to declare the work of each of the six days of creation, and to give an account of light, its separation from darkness and the names of both, the work of the first day, Gen 1:3 of the firmament, its use and name, the work of the second day, Gen 1:6 of the appearance of the earth, and the production of grass, herb”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:7: 11:7 man is made in God’s image: See Gen 1:26-27.”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:15: They who have experienced in themselves "redemption" (Col 1:14), know Christ in the glorious character here described, as above the highest angels to whom the false teachers (Col 2:18) taught worship was to be paid. Paul describes Him: (1) in relation to God and creation (Col 1:15-17); (2) in relation to the Church (Col 1:18-20). As the former regards Him as the Creator (Col 1:15-16) and the Sustainer (Col 1:17) of the natural world; so the latter, as the source and stay of the new moral creation. image--exact likeness and perfect Representative.”