Genesis 1:27 kjv

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

Genesis 1:27 nkjv

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1:27 niv

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

Genesis 1:27 esv

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

Genesis 1:27 nlt

So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Genesis 1 verses

Genesis 1 27 Meaning

Genesis 1:27 describes the unique and deliberate creation of humanity by God, setting humanity apart from all other created beings. It profoundly declares that mankind, both male and female, was created "in His own image" – a foundational theological truth that establishes human dignity, value, and purpose as representatives of God on Earth. This verse encapsulates the special relationship between God and humanity, distinguishing humanity as a reflection of its Creator, equipped with capacities for rationality, morality, relationship, and spiritual awareness.

Genesis 1 27 Context

Genesis chapter 1 systematically details the creation account, emphasizing God's omnipotence and deliberate design. Each day of creation sees God speaking, separating, naming, and declaring His work good, establishing an ordered universe out of formless void. Verse 27, positioned on the sixth day after the creation of land animals, marks the pinnacle of creation. It is set apart by its unique linguistic structure – a triple repetition of "created" (bara) in relation to humanity – highlighting its immense theological significance. Historically and culturally, this narrative stands in stark contrast to ancient Near Eastern (ANE) creation myths, such as the Enuma Elish, where humanity often emerges as an afterthought, an accidental byproduct, or solely for the purpose of toiling for demanding, capricious gods. Genesis 1:27, however, asserts that humans are the crown of creation, made purposefully by a good God and endowed with divine qualities, dignity, and a unique representative role. This verse directly counters any polytheistic notions of competing deities or human insignificance, proclaiming the singular God's sovereignty and humanity's inherent worth.

Genesis 1 27 Word analysis

• So: VaYiven (And so/Then) - Connects back to God's deliberative counsel in Genesis 1:26, indicating the fulfillment of His expressed intention.

• God: Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) - The generic Hebrew term for God, functioning as a plural of majesty, yet taking singular verbs, emphasizing both the singularity and the multi-faceted power and authority of the Creator.

• created: bara (בָּרָא) - A verb used exclusively in the Old Testament for divine activity, signifying creation ex nihilo (from nothing) or the forming of something truly new and unprecedented. Its threefold repetition in this verse underscores the extraordinary nature and emphasis of humanity's creation.

• man: adam (אָדָם) - In this context, it is a singular noun functioning collectively to refer to "humankind" or "humanity" as a species, encompassing both male and female. It denotes human identity generally before specification of gender.

• in His own image: b'tsalmo (בְּצֶלֶם) - The Hebrew word tselem refers to a concrete image, representation, or likeness. This is the core concept of Imago Dei. It does not imply a physical resemblance to God, who is Spirit (John 4:24), but rather denotes qualitative capacities that reflect God: spiritual, rational, moral, volitional, relational, and possessing an innate capacity for stewardship/dominion. It suggests humanity is God's representative on Earth.

• in the image of God He created him;: This is a direct repetition of the previous phrase, an emphatic literary device to highlight and underscore the critical importance and theological weight of "image" in God's creation of humanity. The redundancy serves to draw the reader's attention and affirm the concept as paramount.

• male: zachor (זָכָר) - Explicitly identifies the masculine gender.

• and female: unqevah (וּנְקֵבָה) - Explicitly identifies the feminine gender. These terms clarify that adam (man/humankind) exists fundamentally in two complementary, distinct, and equally valuable sexes from creation.

• He created them.: bara otam (בָּרָא אֹתָם) - Reinforces divine agency in the creation of humanity in both its male and female forms, emphasizing that this distinction is part of God's original design, and validating both genders as fully image-bearers. The shift from singular "him" (oto) to plural "them" (otam) signifies the collective adam being instantiated as diverse individuals while united in shared humanity and the image.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "So God created man in His own image,": This initial statement presents the groundbreaking truth. It emphasizes that humanity is not an accidental outcome but a direct, intentional act of God, infused with His unique reflection. The image is central to human identity.
  • "in the image of God He created him;": The immediate repetition serves for supreme emphasis. It highlights that the defining characteristic of human beings is being image-bearers of God. It underlines God's direct, personal, and intentional involvement in crafting humanity with this distinctive capacity.
  • "male and female He created them.": This crucial clarification immediately follows the image declaration. It explicitly states that humanity, as adam created in God's image, is bifurcated into two distinct and complementary sexes from its very inception. Both male and female fully bear the divine image, possessing equal dignity and value, yet expressing the image through unique relational and procreative capacities designed by God. This duality is an inherent aspect of the created human identity and is foundational to understanding human relationships and procreation.

Genesis 1 27 Bonus section

• Relational Aspect of the Image: While the image of God encompasses rational, moral, and spiritual capacities, a key interpretation emphasizes its relational dimension. Just as God exists in relationship (Father, Son, Holy Spirit hinted at in "Let Us make..."), so humanity is created for relationship—with God, with other humans (especially male and female), and with creation itself. This relational aspect is crucial for understanding human community and the design of marriage.
• Functional/Representational Aspect: Being created in God's image also implies a functional role as God's representatives or vice-regents on Earth. Following Genesis 1:26, humanity is given dominion over creation, a kingly or priestly role to steward God's world on His behalf. The image grants the authority and capacity to exercise this divine mandate responsibly.
• The Fallen Image and Redemption: While the imago Dei is an inherent and indelible part of humanity's original design, it was marred by the Fall (Gen 3). Sin distorted, but did not eradicate, the image. The New Testament speaks of Christ as the perfect image of God (Col 1:15, Heb 1:3) and the goal of redemption is to be conformed to His image (Rom 8:29), renewed in righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24, Col 3:10), thus restoring and perfecting the original divine intention.

Genesis 1 27 Commentary

Genesis 1:27 serves as the apex of the creation narrative, declaring the singular status of humanity. The repeated verb "created" (bara), uniquely associated with divine work, underscores the unprecedented nature of God's act in bringing forth man. To be created "in God's image" signifies more than a mere biological existence; it imbues humanity with intrinsic value, purpose, and a unique dignity found nowhere else in creation. This imago Dei implies capabilities for self-awareness, moral reasoning, spirituality, creativity, and the capacity for personal relationship, reflecting God's own attributes.

Furthermore, the declaration that God created humanity as "male and female" is paramount. It immediately clarifies that the collective adam is manifested in distinct genders, both equally and fully bearing the divine image. This duality is part of God's original, good design, reflecting the relational nature of God (implied in the "Us" of Gen 1:26). It also establishes the foundational pattern for human relationship, family, and procreation, upon which marriage (Gen 2:24, Matt 19:4-6) is built. Thus, Genesis 1:27 not only defines humanity's origin and inherent worth but also provides the theological basis for human gender identity, complementarity, and the sacredness of human life. The practical application of this verse includes treating every person, regardless of their background, with profound dignity and respect, recognizing them as an image-bearer of the divine. It also informs a biblical understanding of gender roles as distinct but equally valuable, operating in concert to reflect God's relational glory.