Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:26

What does Genesis 1:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:26 means

This verse presents the supreme act of creation: God's decision to make humanity. The use of the plural "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" suggests a divine counsel within the Godhead (often understood by Christians as referring to the Trinity). Humanity is uniquely created in God's image, implying moral, intellectual, communal, and spiritual qualities that reflect their Creator. This image grants humanity a distinct status and the responsibility of "dominion" over all other created life, serving as God's representatives or stewards on earth.

Genesis 1:26 in context

Genesis 1 — The Six Days of Creation

The Bible opens not with an argument for the existence of God but with the announcement of his creative act. In six measured days God speaks the cosmos into being — light, sky, sea, land, plants, sun and moon, fish and birds, animals, and finally man and woman in his own image. Each act ends with the refrain, 'and God saw that it was good.' The chapter establishes God's sovereignty, the goodness of the material world, the dignity of humanity, and the rhythm of work and rest that will shape all of Scripture.

  • Creation ex nihilo
  • The image of God
  • The goodness of creation
  • Sabbath rhythm

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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 birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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 birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God saith, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod 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 heavens, and over the cattle, and over the whole earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth.

Context

Following the creation of all other land animals, this verse introduces the pinnacle of God's creative work: the making of humanity. This is a deliberate, counsel-driven decision, indicated by "Let us make." It highlights humanity's unique relationship to God through being made in His image and establishes their special role of dominion over the earth, leading directly to the execution of this creative act in the subsequent verse.

v.25And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind: and God saw that it was good.

v.26This passage

v.27And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 104:20

    Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

  • Colossians 1:15

    who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;

  • Hebrews 2:6

    But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

  • Ephesians 4:24

    and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

  • John 14:23

    Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  • Colossians 3:10

    and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:26

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Genesis 1:26 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:26 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:26 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:26 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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