Keraia
Genesis 1

Genesis 1:26

The Creation · Genesis 1:1–31
Read Genesis 1

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the bird of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls upon the earth.”
Latin
…et ait: Faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram: et præsit piscibus maris, et volatilibus cæli, et bestiis, universæque terræ, omnique reptili, quod movetur in terra.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

Genesis 1:26

  • Let Us make: This statement is more personal than the earlier command, "Let there be" (for example, 1:3, 6).

  • Us: The use of the plural pronoun here has several possible explanations:

    1. It may refer to the Trinity (one God who exists forever in three persons).

    2. It may be a plural form used to show God’s greatness.

    3. It may describe God speaking to himself (a kind of inner council).

    4. It may describe God speaking with his heavenly court (angels).

    The idea of the Trinity was revealed later in the Bible. Because of this, it is unlikely that the human author meant that here.

    Many Hebrew scholars do not accept the idea that this is a plural used to show God’s greatness. The grammar does not clearly support that view.

    The idea that God is speaking to himself also lacks clear evidence. The only similar examples refer to Israel as a group (for example, 2 Samuel 24:14).

    However, the Old Testament often shows God speaking to his heavenly court (angels). This idea has strong support (see Genesis 3:22; 11:7; 1 Kings 22:19–22; Job 1:6–12; 2:1–6; 38:7; Psalm 89:5–6; Isaiah 6:1–8; Daniel 10:12–13).

  • in Our image, after Our likeness: These phrases mean almost the same thing in Hebrew. Humans have a special relationship with God.

  • to rule: Humans represent the Creator as his ambassadors and his delegated rulers on earth.

Genesis 1:14–31

On days four through six, God filled the domains that had been formed during days one through three (1:3–13).

Genesis 1:1–2:3

  • These verses introduce the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). They teach Israel that one true God created, ordered, and populated the world, not the gods of nearby nations.

  • God blessed three specific things:

    These three blessings emphasize the Creator's plan. God made humans in his image to rule in his place over earth's creatures and to join in God's Sabbath rest.

Events

Parallels

John 1:1–5 Hebrews 11:1–3

Glossary

Adam (Person) Animals Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Creation Creation Myths Fall of Man Genesis, Book of God, Names of Heaven Hebrew Language Host, Host of Heaven Image of God Land Man Man, Old and New Mesopotamia Monotheism New Creation, New Creature Night Patriarchs, Period of the Peter, Second Letter of Philo Judaeus Sea Sex, Sexuality Sons and Daughters of God The Flood Woman Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Adam: The First Man: Creation of Adam: The First Man: History of, Before he Sinned Animal Rights Animal Testing Beasts: Power Over, Given to Man Being Special Biology Birds: Creation of, on the Fifth Creative Day Birds: Man's Dominion Over Birds: Power Over Given to Man Cloning Creeping Things: A General Term for Animals Darwin Dignity Domestic Animals Dominion Ecology Elohim Eve: Creation of Fishes: Man Given Dominion Over Fishing God Made Us God: Creator God: Creator of Man God's Appearance God's Creation Graven Images Greatness Human Cloning Human Dignity Human Rights Humanity Humans Image: Man Created In, of God Jesus, the Christ: Preexistence of Killing Animals Killing Insects Man: Created Man: Created in the Image of God Man: Created: After Consultation, by the Trinity