Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:27

What does Genesis 1:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:27 means

God directly created humanity, specifically stating "in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." This emphasizes the unique dignity and sacredness of human life, as it reflects the very character of God. The creation of humanity as both "male and female" indicates that the image of God is fully expressed in both genders and in their relationality, establishing the foundational institution of human family. This act is the climax of creation, setting humanity apart from all other creatures.

Genesis 1:27 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 created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod created Man in his image, in the image ofGod created he him; male and female created he them.

Context

This verse describes the direct and powerful fulfillment of God's counsel to create humanity from verse 26. It deeply stresses humanity's unique status by repeating the phrase "in his own image, in the image of God." The creation of "male and female" is a crucial detail, establishing gender and relationality as part of God's original design. This momentous creation leads directly to God's blessing and specific commands for humanity in the next verse.

v.26And 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.

v.27This passage

v.28And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

  • Matthew 19:4

    And he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

  • Genesis 2:18

    And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.

  • Genesis 2:21

    And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof:

  • Isaiah 43:7

    every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea, whom I have made.

  • Colossians 1:15

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

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:27

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

  • What Genesis 1:27 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:27 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:27 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:27 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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