{"id":391441,"date":"2026-01-26T07:43:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reasons.org\/?p=391441"},"modified":"2026-01-26T07:43:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:43:43","slug":"made-in-image-of-god-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reasons.org\/adam-eve\/image-god\/made-in-image-of-god-meaning","title":{"rendered":"What Does \u201cMade in the Image of God\u201d Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The image of God (imago Dei<\/em> in Latin) is a core belief in the Christian faith that represents the spiritual nature of humanity<\/a> in relation to the God of the Bible. This belief is also part of the Jewish faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imago Dei<\/em> is first introduced in Genesis 1:26, \u201cLet us make mankind in our image . . .\u201d and further described in Genesis 1:27, \u201cSo God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the only time in Scripture, and during creation, that God creates in his own image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does \u201cMade in God\u2019s Image\u201d Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at Genesis 1:26\u201327 (emphasis added):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Then God said, \u201cLet us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,<\/strong> so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.\u201dSo God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This passage reflects the only time in Scripture where part of God\u2019s creation is mentioned as being made in his image. On this basis we conclude that human beings are uniquely created in the likeness of God, our Creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that each human being, whom God has made in his own image (both male and female), is graciously bestowed with intrinsic dignity from the moment they\u2019re created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, how can humans, as a composite of body and spirit, be made similar to someone we can\u2019t see?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Historically, theologically orthodox Christians have held to the belief that humans uniquely bear God\u2019s image. Yet there are different perspectives on the exact meaning of imago Dei<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understandably, it\u2019s confusing! But it\u2019s incredibly important to dive into this topic, especially because it informs our view of morality. Throughout history, this belief that humans are created in the image of God has shaped societies around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A complete<\/em> understanding of imago Dei<\/em><\/a> just isn\u2019t possible since we as humans have a limited understanding of God\u2019s nature. But we can get closer to a biblically faithful description of the image of God through careful study of Scripture and God\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A basic understanding of the doctrine holds that the imago Dei<\/em> represents how all human beings reflect Godlike qualities. These include our desire to be in relationship and in fellowship with others, our spiritual nature, our ability to think critically, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christian and<\/em> the non-Christian are created in the image of God. Yet, his image has been marred by sin<\/a> in all of us. By making us in his image, God displays his goodness to all humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In What Ways Are Humans Like God?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Humans are like God in our knowledge, awareness, and pursuit of morality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People can display some of God\u2019s attributes<\/a>, such as knowledge, wisdom, goodness<\/a>, love, holiness, justice, truthfulness, and more. This is what theologians call the communicable attributes of God, as opposed to God\u2019s incommunicable attributes such as omniscience. However, these attributes in humans differ in degree from those found in God. We\u2019re finite, imperfect, and affected by sin, but in him the same characteristics (and more) are unlimited and perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans reflect God in our relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bible also tells us that the imago Dei<\/em> gives humans the unique opportunity to be in relationship and to be reconciled\u2014despite our sinful nature\u2014with our holy God. God is a relational being who exists eternally in a joyful relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity<\/a>). God also created us to live in relationship with one another and with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans image God in our actions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God uniquely gave humanity authority over creation, which we can learn about in Genesis 1:26 (emphasis added):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Then God said, \u201cLet us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.\u201d<\/q>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And because we are image bearers, humans have the important role of ruling over and caring for all that God has created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imago Dei<\/em> is what sets humankind apart from everything else in creation! Bearing his image is what makes humanity God\u2019s crown jewel in his creation. Nowhere else in Scripture are God\u2019s other created works referenced as being made in God\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, with this basic framework, let\u2019s dive into the original Hebrew to gain a deeper understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Scripture Say About the Imago Dei?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us make mankind in our image, in our likeness\u201d (Genesis 1:26a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are only six verses in Scripture that directly refer to human beings as image bearers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Genesis 1:26\u201327<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Genesis 5:1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Genesis 9:6<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:7<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Colossians 3:10<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. James 3:9<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In these verses the Hebrew words for \u201cimage\u201d (tselem<\/em>) and \u201clikeness\u201d (demut<\/em>) convey the idea of an object similar to or representative of something else<\/a>, but not identical to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The words \u201cimage\u201d and \u201clikeness\u201d shouldn\u2019t be understood as referring to two different things, but rather as interchangeable terms. The New Testament Greek word for \u201cimage\u201d conveys virtually the same meaning as the Hebrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both languages indicate that humans are created in the likeness of God, but are not identical to God. Therefore, from a biblical perspective, human beings, who bear God\u2019s image, are both alike and distinct from the God who made us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To be clear, our Creator God is distinctly different from that which he created. As the Creator, he is not limited like we are as humans. He is infinite, eternal, perfect, and so much more. Finite creatures like us are unable to embody these characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the best features of humankind (such as the ability to love, pursue justice, and be creative) are characteristics that reflect God\u2019s relational, just, and creative qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What a gift it is for humans to reflect the God who made us! What an honor it is to carry the likeness of the Creator of the universe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Do Men and Women Bear God’s Image Equally?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Yes! Men and women, male and female, are equally made in God\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them<\/strong> (Genesis 1:27; emphasis added).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them \u201cMankind\u201d when they were created (Genesis 5:1\u20132).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    From these passages we learn that God made man and woman (male and female) in his image. Thus, both men and women equally, yet distinctly, bear God\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One perspective holds that the distinction between males and females is purposeful, as male and female relationships (within marriage) point toward Christ and his relationship with his people, the church. That is, Christ is the bridegroom and the church<\/a> is his bride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When a man and woman enter into a marriage covenant (or promise), they represent the covenant between Christ and the church (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:31).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This relationship leads us to believe that God\u2019s intention for marriage was for the union of male and female to mirror the commitment between Christ and the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are marriages between Christian men and women perfect? Far from it. Due to humanity\u2019s sinful state, human relationships are not perfect portrayals of God\u2019s great love for his people (Romans 3:23\u201324).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But what this means for us\u2014as our relationships imperfectly resemble God\u2019s love for his people\u2014is that we have perfection to look forward to in Christ\u2019s second coming to Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Close-up<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Did Sin Change the Image of God?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s one way to view the fall of mankind in relation to the imago Dei<\/em>: When sin entered the Garden of Eden<\/a>, humans were scarred by their sin but not destroyed. Sin marred, but didn\u2019t efface, God\u2019s image in humans. In God\u2019s grace, he chose to redeem his creation rather than wipe it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, sin did change human beings\u2019 relationship with God and one another. In our fallen state, humans are now at enmity with God and with one another. Nevertheless, sin didn\u2019t change the fact that humans are created in the image of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Because every human continues to bear the imago Dei<\/em>, God sees even our marred images as redeemable and restorable. It\u2019s because of the imago Dei<\/em> that God saw humankind as worthy of redemption. In the triune God\u2019s great act of selfless love (John 3:16), Jesus took our place of punishment for sin on the cross. He also gave us his righteousness, by which we can stand blameless before our holy Creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Did our sin change God? No. God remains unchanging (Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 13:8). Sin and evil have no power over God and he is able to use humans, even in our sinful disposition, for his glory and good purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With this in mind, we can be confident that even after Adam and Eve\u2019s fall in the Garden of Eden, all humans (Christian and non-Christian) continue to bear God\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But, sadly, because of our sin all humans are often an incomplete, and even a poor, reflection of his image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In his letter to the Colossian church, the apostle Paul explains that as believers in Christ they are also alive<\/em> with Christ. He urges them to turn away from their sinful ways and to turn toward God, and to \u201cput on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator\u201d (Colossians 3:9\u201310).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Paul was reminding the church in Colossae that even though they were sinners, they are made in God\u2019s image and have been raised to life with Christ. The image of God in redeemed sinners is to undergo renewal of the knowledge of God. Paul\u2019s letter to the Colossians at the time of the early church is still relevant to us today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Furthermore, in James 3:9, author James warns the Jewish Christians about the temptation for us to praise God while also cursing our fellow image bearers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \n With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God\u2019s likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be (James 3:9).<\/q>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    James is making the point that since human beings are created in God\u2019s likeness, when we speak evil to another image bearer, we\u2019re also speaking evil toward God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We learn in these postfall Scripture passages that despite humanity\u2019s sinful state, humans continue to reflect God\u2019s image. However, because we still live in a fallen world as sinful human beings, we also look forward to Jesus\u2019s second coming when God will renew and restore the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Close-up<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Are Animals Made in the Image of God?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s undeniable that animals share some characteristics with humans. Animals are even capable of having emotions and thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, are animals also created in God\u2019s image?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Genesis 1 emphasizes the unique creation of \u201csoulish\u201d animals<\/a> (Hebrew nephesh<\/em>). These soulish animals (including birds, mammals, and some reptiles) are able to form emotional bonds, especially with their parents and their young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Think of a parent animal caring for its offspring, or even sacrificing its own life to save the life of its young. We\u2019ve all seen images of these moments and they can be both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s look to the biblical creation account to help us learn more about the relation between humans and animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In Genesis 1, the Hebrew word bara <\/em>is translated as \u201ccreate\u201d and used only three times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n