✦ The Hyperlinked Bible

Genesis 1:26-28

Hebrew Key Terms:

  • H120 אָדָם (adam) - mankind, humanity
  • H6754 צֶלֶם (tselem) - image, likeness
  • H7287 רָדָה (radah) - to rule, have dominion

Context: The climax of God's creative work on the sixth day. After creating the animal kingdom, God creates humanity in His own image and likeness, commissioning them to exercise dominion over the earth as His vice-regents. This is the foundational text for understanding humanity's original design and calling.

OT-to-OT Development:

  • Psalm 8:4-6 reflects on this creation account, asking 'What is man... son of man?' and celebrating humanity's exalted position despite apparent insignificance
  • The dominion mandate is renewed after the Flood (Genesis 9:1-7), though now with bloodshed and fear introduced
  • The image of God concept recurs throughout Scripture as the basis for human dignity and sanctity of life (Genesis 9:6; James 3:9)

Connections:

Christological Connection: Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of Genesis 1:26-28. He is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3), the 'last Adam' who succeeds where the first Adam failed (1 Corinthians 15:45). While the first Adam bore God's image and received dominion, he fell through disobedience, losing both. Christ, the second man from heaven, perfectly bears God's image and exercises righteous dominion, receiving 'all authority in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18). Through His resurrection, Christ restores the dominion mandate: all things will be subjected under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:27, quoting Psalm 8:6). Believers, incorporated into Christ, are being renewed in the image of God (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24) and will share in Christ's reign (Revelation 5:10; 22:5), fulfilling humanity's original calling to exercise dominion as God's image-bearers.

Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Forward-Looking); Redemptive-Historical Progression — Adam as image-bearing vice-regent is a providential type of Christ the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), who perfectly fulfills the dominion mandate that the first Adam forfeited through disobedience.

Trajectory Table: 150 - Son of Man (Danielic Figure and Divine Judge)