Hebrew Key Terms:
Context: Climax of creation week; sixth day after all other creatures created. Divine council language ("Let us make") suggests trinitarian consultation. Humanity created last as crown of creation.
Connections:
Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Forward-Looking), Longitudinal Theme — Adam as image-bearer is a providential type of Christ, the perfect Image of God (Colossians 1:15), and the image-bearing mandate launches the longitudinal theme of humanity's royal-priestly vocation fulfilled in Christ and His people.
Christological Connection: Christ is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) - what Adam was called to be but failed to achieve. Where first Adam distorted the image through sin, last Adam perfectly reflects the Father: "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). The trajectory moves from Adam as type (image-bearer) to Christ as antitype (perfect Image). Believers are now being "conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29), progressively restored to original glory. Final escalation occurs at resurrection when "we shall bear the image of the man of heaven" (1 Corinthians 15:49) - from damaged image → to perfect Image → to corporate body of glorified image-bearers. The commission to "fill the earth" finds fulfillment in Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
Trajectory Table: 076 - Image of God (Priestly Vocation)