Previously I mentioned that something was different in verse 26 compared to the preceding 21 verses because of the “let us” language. But there is more. Another difference has to do with what was being created. Prior to verse 26 all of creation was being created and prepared. But in verse 26 the creation of mankind was being announced. And this part of creation is created differently. It is created in the image and likeness of God. No other part of creation shares this description.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26a–27 (ESV)
Image And Likeness
There have been many attempts to describe what it means to be made in the image of God. One thing we are pretty sure of is that it does not refer to external, visible appearance. If we want to go with moral awareness as the meaning, knowing right from wrong, we need to remember that mankind was not created this way but became aware after they ate the fruit of the tree. The image of God may also refer to possessing a soul or spirit. The problem with this is that some animals are described as having a soul (nephesh) in Genesis. There are many more ideas on this subject.
Imagers
This is the meaning I like. It makes sense on a number of levels. Grammatically, it has to do with the way the preposition “in” is understood. If someone says “Put the dishes in the sink” they are referring to location. If someone says that she works “in medicine” or “in education,” she means that she works “as” a doctor or nurse, or “as” a teacher.
The preposition “in” should be understood as meaning “as” or “in the capacity of.” Humanity was created “as” the image of God. The concept can be conveyed if we think of “image” as a verb: Humans are created as God’s imagers—they function in the capacity of God’s representatives. The image of God is not a quality within human beings; it is what humans are.
Michael S. Heiser, “Image of God,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary
When we think of the image of God like this, then the “image does not primarily mean similarity, but the representation of the one who is imaged in a place where he is not.” (Clines, “The Image of God in Man,” 87, emphasis mine). An ambassador or emissary represents someone who is not present but is somewhere else.
Think of it this way. Imagers “mirror” and “represent” God. All humans were created as God’s imagers and have the capacity to represent God regardless of race, intelligence or stage in life. As believers we actually have the ability to represent God on earth.
Questions
- What other ways have you heard the “image” and “likeness” described?
- If all humans were created as “imagers” and “representatives” of God, what are the implications?
- As a “born again” believer, what are the implications for you? How do you represent God on earth?
Leave a Reply