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.
In the opening poem of Scripture, God speaks creation into existence over six days. On day six, before making humans, God uses plural language — "let us" — hinting at the divine community within God (Father, Son, Spirit) and inviting humans into that fellowship. The word "image" in Hebrew means a statue or representation; humans are meant to be living, breathing reflections of God’s character to the rest of creation.
Divine Artist, thank you for signing your likeness into my very cells. When I forget whose image I bear, remind me through the faces I meet today. Make me a faithful portrait of your love. Amen.
Imagine God as an artist stepping back from the canvas, considering colors and textures, then saying, "Let’s make something that looks exactly like us." Not a photocopy, but a living portrait — you, with your crooked smile and tendency to cry at commercials, carrying something essential of the divine. The animals don’t bear God’s image; neither do mountains or galaxies. That wild honor is reserved for us. You’re not just occupying space on this planet; you’re meant to be an exhibit of what God is like. When you comfort a coworker’s panic attack, that’s God-with-us in scrubs. When you stop to rescue a turtle crossing the road, you’re showing creation what divine care looks like in sneakers. The image of God isn’t something you achieve — it’s something you bear, often in the exact moment you forget you’re doing it.
Why does God say "let us" instead of "let me" when creating humans?
What does it mean to be God's "image" in a world where people are often treated as disposable?
How do you see the divine image reflected differently in men and women?
Where in your daily routine could you more intentionally represent God's character to creation?
If every human bears God's image, how should that change the way you treat the person who just cut you off in traffic?
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalms 139:14
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 3:22
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:3
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalms 100:3
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Psalms 8:8
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3:10
Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth."
AMP
Then 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 livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
ESV
Then 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 birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'
NASB
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
NIV
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
NKJV
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
NLT
God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
MSG