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.
Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. And let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.'
God is declaring His intention to create humans uniquely in His own image and to give them authority over all other living creatures on earth.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the creation account in Genesis, believed to be written by Moses around 1400 BC. It represents the climax of God's creative work, where He creates humanity as the crown of creation. The use of 'us' has been understood by many as an early hint of God's triune nature, though others see it as a plural of majesty or God speaking with His heavenly court.
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