Topical Encyclopedia
The creation of man is a foundational event described in the Bible, marking the beginning of humanity's existence and relationship with God. According to the biblical account, man was created by God as a unique being, distinct from all other forms of life.
Creation in the Image of GodThe creation of man is detailed in the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 1:26-27 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This passage emphasizes that man was created in the "image" and "likeness" of God, signifying a special status and purpose within creation.
The Formation of ManGenesis 2 provides a more detailed account of man's creation, focusing on the formation of the first man, Adam.
Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This verse highlights the intimate and personal nature of man's creation, with God directly forming man from the earth and imparting life through His breath.
Purpose and DominionMan's creation was accompanied by a divine mandate to exercise dominion over the earth.
Genesis 1:28 records God's blessing and command to humanity: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This directive establishes man's role as steward of creation, responsible for its care and management.
The Creation of WomanThe creation of woman is also described in
Genesis 2, where God recognizes that it is not good for man to be alone.
Genesis 2:21-22 narrates, "So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he slept, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the area with flesh. And from the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man, He made a woman and brought her to him." The creation of woman from man's rib signifies the complementary nature of male and female, designed to be partners in fulfilling God's purposes.
Theological ImplicationsThe creation of man in the image of God carries profound theological implications. It affirms the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, as each person reflects aspects of God's character and nature. This concept underpins the biblical understanding of human identity, morality, and purpose.
Fall and RedemptionWhile the creation account presents man in a state of innocence and harmony with God, the subsequent narrative of the Fall in
Genesis 3 introduces sin and its consequences into the world. Despite this, the creation of man remains a testament to God's original design and intention for humanity, which is ultimately restored through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
In summary, the biblical account of man's creation underscores the unique and purposeful nature of humanity, created in the image of God to steward the earth and live in relationship with the Creator.
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Genesis 1:26,27And 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 creeps on the earth.
Nave's Topical IndexGenesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
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Genesis 5:1,2
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
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Deuteronomy 4:32
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven to the other, whether there has been any such thing as this great thing is, or has been heard like it?
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Job 4:17
Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
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Job 10:2,3,8,9
I will say to God, Do not condemn me; show me why you contend with me.
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Job 31:15
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
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Job 33:4
The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
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Job 35:10
But none said, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;
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Psalm 8:5
For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.
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Psalm 100:3
Know you that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
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Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
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Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures for ever: forsake not the works of your own hands.
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Psalm 139:14
I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.
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Ecclesiastes 7:29
See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
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Isaiah 17:7
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
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Isaiah 42:5
Thus said God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
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Isaiah 43:7
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him.
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Isaiah 45:12
I have made the earth, and created man on it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
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Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.
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Jeremiah 27:5
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed meet to me.
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Zechariah 12:1
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, said the LORD, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.
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Malachi 2:10
Have we not all one father? has not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
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Mark 10:6
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
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Hebrews 2:7
You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands:
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Greek
444. anthropos -- aman, human, mankind... are
created in the image of God -- each vested with individual personhood and destiny
(cf. Gal 3:28). Accordingly, the Bible uses 444 () of a specific
man,
...5363. philanthropia -- love for mankind, kindness
... humanity"; a person who warmly loves others, treating them with the respect
(benevolence) that befits each one beingcreated in the... kindness, love towardsman....
5364. philanthropos -- humanely, kindly
... That is, treating others with courteous respect because each iscreated in the... from
a compound of philos and anthropos; fondly toman ("philanthropically"), ie...
Library
The True Doctrine. Creation Out of Nothing, of God's Lavish Bounty...
... Section 3. The true doctrine. Creation out of nothing, of God's lavish bounty of
being.Man created above the rest, but incapable of independent perseverance....
Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory;Man Created Immortal...
... Discourse IX."Tusiane. Chapter II."Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory;
Man Created Immortal: Death Brought in by Destructive Sin....
Canon Ci. The Great and Divine Apostle Paul with Loud Voice Calls...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon CI. The great and divine Apostle
Paul with loud voice callsman created in the image? The...
WhetherMan wasCreated in Paradise?
... OFMAN'S ABODE, WHICH IS PARADISE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whetherman wascreated in paradise?
Objection 1: It would seem thatman wascreated in paradise....
Whether the FirstMan wasCreated in Grace?
... OF THINGS PERTAINING TO THE FIRSTMAN'S WILL"-NAMELY, GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
(FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the firstman wascreated in grace?...
Man was SoCreated as to be Able to Choose Either Good or Evil: in...
... Chapter 105."Man Was SoCreated as to Be Able to Choose Either Good or Evil:
in the Future Life, the Choice of Evil Will Be Impossible....
State in whichMan wasCreated. The Faculties of the Soul --The...
... STATE IN WHICHMAN WASCREATED. THE FACULTIES OF THE SOUL"THE IMAGE OF GOD"FREE
WILL"ORIGINAL RIGHTEOUSNESS. STATE IN WHICHMAN WASCREATED....
Whether anyCreated Good ConstitutesMan's Happiness?
... OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICHMAN'S HAPPINESS CONSISTS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
anycreated good constitutesman's happiness? Objection...
For ThoughMan wasCreated in Grace, God, Foreseeing his...
... Section 12. For thoughman wascreated in grace, God, foreseeing his forgetfulness,
provided also the works of creation to remindman of him....
On the Creation ofMan after the Image of God
... X. Thus wasman created, that he might know, love and worship his Creator,
and might live with him for ever in a state of blessedness....
Resources
Can man live without God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being a godly man? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Ezekiel called son of man if it is a title for Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgMan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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