Genesis 1:26-27 (Orthodox Study Bible)

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

According to the Orthodox Study Bible, the text of Genesis 1:26–27 reads as follows:

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Commentary from the Orthodox Perspective

The Orthodox Study Bible and the Coptic Orthodox tradition emphasize several critical points regarding these verses:

1. The Holy Trinity

The phrase "Let Us make man" is a clear reference to the Holy Trinity. It indicates that the creation of humanity was a collective act of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Unlike other parts of creation where God spoke things into existence (e.g., "Let there be light"), the creation of man involves a divine counsel, showing that man is the crown of God’s creation.

2. The Distinction Between Image and Likeness

• Image: This refers to the rational and self-determining nature of man. It includes the qualities of reason, conscience, and free will. Every human being possesses the image of God by nature, and it cannot be fully lost, though it was darkened by the Fall.
• Likeness: This refers to the potential for man to become like God through the acquisition of virtue and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. While we are born with the "image," we must strive toward the "likeness" through a life of holiness.

3. Male and Female

The text specifies that "male and female He created them." This affirms the equal dignity of both man and woman as bearers of the divine image. In the Orthodox view, the fullness of humanity is expressed in the communion of persons, reflecting the communal nature of the Trinity.

4. The Stewardship of Creation

The "dominion" granted to man over the fish, birds, and cattle is a form of stewardship. Man is meant to be the "mediator" between the Creator and the created world. As St. Athanasius and other Fathers teach, man was created to offer the world back to God in thanksgiving.

5. Christ as the Archetype

We must remember that Jesus Christ is the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). Therefore, Adam was created with the Incarnate Word as his model. When man fell, the "image" was marred, necessitating the Incarnation so that the Word—the perfect Image—could restore humanity to its original glory and lead us back toward the "likeness" of God.