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NASB | Genesis 1:26 ¶ 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." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:26 ¶ 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." [Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3] |
Bible Question:
Genesis 1:26 "And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness:" Who was god referencing with us and our? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Digitalsignalpro! John Wesley answers this question thus: "That man's creation was a mere signal act of divine wisdom and power, than that of the other creatures. The narrative of it is introduced with solemnity, and a manifest distinction from the rest. Hitherto it had been said, Let there be light, and Let there be a firmament: but now the word of command is turned into a word of consultation, Let us make man - For whose sake the rest of the creatures were made. Man was to be a creature different from all that had been hitherto made. Flesh and spirit, heaven and earth must be put together in him, and he must be allied to both worlds. And therefore God himself not only undertakes to make, but is pleased so to express himself, as if he called a council to consider of the making of him; Let us make man - The three persons of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, consult about it, and concur in it; because man, when he was made, was to be dedicated and devoted to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. That man was made in God's image, and after his likeness; two words to express the same thing." Over the years, there have been several theories about the plural pronouns used in Gen. 1:26. 1) Some have argued that it is a case of the majestic plural so favored by Kings in the middle ages. However, there is no evidence that such a form was used in the Old Testament, thus is would be reading a more modern practice back into an ancient text. 2) Some have argued that the plural refers to the heavenly hosts around the throne of God. However, that would seem to indicate both that the hosts were involved in the creation and they they also were 'in the image' of God. Scripture nowhere else indicates with of these things. 3) The best view seems to be that we have here a very early hint of the Trinity. The 'Us' would be a reference to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - all of Whom were active in the creation of man. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |