Study Overview
The doctrine of humanity created "in the image of God" (Hebrew: בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים, b'tselem elohim; Latin: imago Dei) stands as one of the Bible's most profound and influential teachings about human nature, dignity, and purpose.
This comprehensive study examines the biblical foundations of this doctrine through multiple lenses: careful exegesis of Genesis 1-2, linguistic analysis of Hebrew terminology, comparison with Ancient Near Eastern parallels, exploration of gender implications, theological synthesis, and contemporary applications.
Study Pages
Overview
Introduction to Imago Dei: four interpretive models, ANE context, historical reception, and why this doctrine matters for contemporary ethics and theology.
Genesis 1-2 Foundations
Deep dive into the foundational texts: literary structure, fivefold mandate, Eden as proto-temple, and humanity's royal-priestly vocation.
Hebrew Wordplay
Linguistic analysis of tselem, demut, adam/adamah wordplay, and how Hebrew vocabulary reveals theological meaning about human nature.
Male & Female
Gender implications of Genesis 1:27: equality in image-bearing, complementarity without hierarchy, and contemporary gender debates.
Literary Design
Examining Genesis 1's literary artistry: chiastic structure, forming/filling pattern, poetic climax, and how structure reveals meaning.
ANE Background
Ancient Near Eastern parallels: Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Canaanite royal ideology, idol theology, and Genesis' revolutionary transformation.
Royal-Priest-Prophet
Humanity's threefold vocation: royal dominion, priestly service, prophetic witness — integrated in Christ and continued in believers.
NT Trajectory
New Testament development: Christ as true Image, new creation in believers, eschatological restoration, and Pauline theology of transformation.
Genesis 9:6 Ethics
Ethical implications: human dignity, justice, abortion, capital punishment, and why violence against image-bearers is vandalism against God.
Bibliography
Comprehensive resource list: BibleProject episodes (7 priority sources), commentaries, monographs, ANE texts, and contemporary scholarship.
Suggested Study Path
Quick Reference
Hebrew Terms
- צֶלֶם (tselem) — carved image, statue
- דְּמוּת (demut) — likeness, resemblance
- אָדָם (adam) — human, humanity
- אֲדָמָה (adamah) — ground, earth
- כָּבַשׁ (kavash) — subdue, cultivate
- רָדָה (radah) — rule, have dominion
Four Models
- Substantive — Qualities/capacities (reason, will)
- Relational — Relationship with God/others
- Functional — Vocation/role as rulers
- Integrated — Combination of all three
Core Vocation
- Royal — Exercise wise dominion
- Priestly — Mediate God's presence
- Prophetic — Represent God's word
- Cultural — Extend Eden's order
- Procreative — Fill the earth
Key Verses
- Gen 1:26-28 — Creation in God's image
- Gen 2:15 — Serve and guard Eden
- Gen 5:1-3 — Image passed to Seth
- Gen 9:6 — Image grounds ethics
- Psalm 8 — Crowned with glory
- 2 Cor 3:18 — Being transformed
Key Themes Throughout the Study
1. Democratic Revolution
Genesis democratizes what Ancient Near Eastern cultures reserved for elites. All humans — not just kings — bear God's image and share in royal-priestly calling. This grounds universal human dignity and equality.
2. Vocation Over Metaphysics
While Genesis tells us something about human nature, the emphasis falls on human calling. The image of God is primarily about what humans are commissioned to do — rule, serve, fill, cultivate, represent.
3. Gender Complementarity
Genesis 1:27's poetic structure establishes that male and female together constitute the divine image. Neither sex is more "godlike" than the other; both equally bear God's tselem and share in the mandate.
4. Living Statues
Unlike ANE cultures where gods inhabited carved idols, Yahweh has mobile, breathing images that extend His presence throughout creation. Humans are God's living statues, representing Him wherever they go.
5. Cultural Mandate
The fivefold commission (be fruitful, multiply, fill, subdue, rule) encompasses all legitimate human cultural activity: family, work, governance, arts, sciences. Every sphere of life participates in extending Eden's order.
6. Christ as True Image
The New Testament presents Jesus as the perfect Image of God (Col 1:15) and believers as being transformed into that same image (2 Cor 3:18). What was fractured in Genesis 3 is being restored in Christ.
How to Use This Study
For Individual Study
- Begin with the Overview to understand the main interpretive frameworks
- Work through Genesis 1-2 to grasp the biblical foundation
- Explore ANE Background to appreciate Genesis' revolutionary nature
- Dive into specific themes (gender, vocation, NT development) based on your interests
- Consult the Bibliography for deeper research
For Group Study
- Week 1: Overview — Introduce the doctrine and main models
- Week 2: Genesis 1-2 — Study the foundational texts together
- Week 3: ANE Background & Hebrew Wordplay — Explore historical/linguistic context
- Week 4: Male & Female — Discuss gender implications
- Week 5: Royal-Priest-Prophet — Examine humanity's threefold vocation
- Week 6: NT Trajectory & Ethics — Apply to contemporary issues
For Academic Research
- Use the Bibliography as a starting point for scholarly sources
- Consult Hebrew Wordplay for linguistic analysis
- Reference ANE Background for comparative ancient texts
- Examine Literary Design for structural/poetic analysis
- Draw on NT Trajectory for canonical development
Featured BibleProject Resources
This study draws heavily from BibleProject's exceptional work on the Image of God theme. Seven priority podcast episodes are integrated throughout:
- "Humans as Middle Management" (Feb 2016) — Foundational overview of humanity's role as God's representatives
- "The Garden Was Not Perfect" (Mar 2016) — Eden as template needing extension, not static paradise
- "Glory of God" (May 2016) — Connection between divine glory and human calling
- "You're Supposed to Rule the World" (Mar 2016) — Understanding humanity's royal mandate
- "God or gods" (2016) — ANE background and revolutionary nature of Genesis
- "Experiencing God Through Humans" (2016) — How image-bearers mediate God's presence
- "Somewhere Between Humans and Animals" (SOM-E2) — Hebrew wordplay revealing dual nature
Each episode is cited in the relevant study pages with specific usage tags. See the Bibliography for complete details.
Why This Matters
The doctrine of the Image of God isn't merely academic theology — it's the foundation for how we understand ourselves, treat others, and engage with the world. This study matters because:
- Human Dignity — Every person bears God's image, grounding universal human rights and worth
- Ethical Framework — Violence against any human is vandalism of God's image (Gen 9:6)
- Vocation — All legitimate work participates in the cultural mandate to fill and cultivate
- Gender Relations — Male and female equally image God, establishing partnership over hierarchy
- Environmental Stewardship — Subduing creation means wise cultivation, not exploitation
- Gospel Hope — Christ restores the fractured image, transforming believers into God's likeness
- Cultural Engagement — Understanding our calling helps Christians engage every sphere of life
Whether you're wrestling with contemporary ethical dilemmas, exploring your calling, seeking to understand gender debates, or simply wanting to grasp what Scripture teaches about human nature — this study provides biblical foundations, historical context, and theological depth to inform your thinking.