![[#17] Genesis 1:26-27 – Let Us Make Man in Our Image](https://redeeminggod.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/One-Verse-Podcast-Jeremy-Myers-150x150.jpg)
In Genesis 1:26, God refers to Himself in the plural. He says, “Let us make man in our image.” Why does He do that? Why does Moses write it that way? Is this the first verse in the Bible that proves the Trinity?
No, I don’t think so. This podcast on Genesis 1:26-27 explains what I do think.
The Text of Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 1:26-27. 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.
In this discussion of Genesis 1:26-27 we look at:
- The pinnacle of the creation week
- The creation of mankind in Genesis 1 contrasted with other creation accounts
- The eight views of why God speaks in the plural in Genesis 1:26
- My preferred view for why Genesis 1:26 speaks of God in the plural
- How to be like God by living in relationships
Resources:
- Become a Patron of the One Verse Podcast
- Hamilton, Genesis 1–17 – Amazon or CBD
- Hasel Article on Genesis 1
- Johnston Article on Genesis 1
- One Proof for the Trinity
Downloadable Podcast Resources
Those who are part of my online discipleship group may download the MP3 audio file for this podcast and view the podcast transcript below.
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Is it becos God in Trinity (Father,Son,Holy Spirit)
That is one of the common views (there are 8 common views), but not the one I prefer.
Was not aware of all of these views, only some. Thanks.
I agree that it’s probably not the Trinity being communicated here. I prefer the divine council view, both from reading the text and the commonality of that motif in ancient near eastern literature.
I personally wouldn’t presume that it’s 100% certain that Moses was a Unitarian. You might find this interesting:
http://drmsh.com/the-naked-bible/two-powers-in-heaven/
Dr. Michael Heiser puts forth what I believe is a compelling case for, at a minimum, Jewish Binatarianism in pre-messianic Judaism as well as in the OT.
I like your view most about relational!
When I read it I got the feel of view 6 – Plural of deliberation.
Had conversation about it with someone and they suggested that the LET US could be view 6, but the OUR – Moses refers to like the way WE (humans in that moment) look/are. If you understand what I mean?
I do not believe in Trinity like most Christians accept it, so that from my perspective would surely not be one of the views.
Thanks!
I seem to be having trouble downloading/streaming this episode. Not sure why
Very enlightening. I like your emphasis on reading the text from the perspective of the original audience.
I was unaware of the different views of the plural, I was always taught it confirmed the Trinity.
There are so many interesting topics in this episode. I will have to start using the resources you recommend to increase my knowledge.
I also like the way you relate the subject matter of each podcast to our daily lives, our walk with the Lord. It doesn’t always seem possible with such complicated material, but you manage to use it to encourage us, and for that I am thankful.
Glad you enjoyed it and I gave you something to think about and study further. Upon further study this week, I discovered that Karl Barth held this “plural of relationship” view … or something close to it.
Sad, I cannot download any more. I don’t want to download itunes and can’t listen online.
I am on Stitcher, TuneIn, and Android as well. You can learn more here: Subscribe to Podcast
Thanks for the suggestions, but this doesn’t look like it will work for me. These all appear to be apps for the phone or only do streaming. I just want to download onto my computer so I can transfer to my MP3 player. Anyway, I greatly enjoyed the first 15 episodes and learned a lot.
I see. I had to remove the download links on my site for numerous reasons. Sorry! But it looks like the files can still be downloaded to your computer here: https://www.blubrry.com/one_verse/
Great! I’ve subscribed through blubrry. Definitely makes my bicycle commute more interesting!
Hi Jeremy,
I just stumbled on your blog a few days ago and I have been listening. I find them very insightful and encouraging. So thank you, for choosing to spend your life working to make things clearer for the rest of us. God bless.
IN relation to today’s blog Gen 1:26-27, I agree with your view and this interpretation. I want to comment to buttress that view.
In your next podcast Gen 1:28-29 you mentioned that God created the things in the creation week to continue the work He began. That He didn’t intend for creation to end on the 6th day hence he created things that could regenerate and reproduce. I believe God saying “Let us…” goes with the idea that God declarers the end from the beginning as expressed in the book of Isaiah. In saying so, it can be said that God already knew how creation and the creatures would function in posterity and so He is sending an invitation for everyone to be part of this project. As in “…hey man and woman, hey animals and plants this is what we are going to do. We are all going to procreate, reproduce, breed and make more of us in our own image, after our own kinds. Now, let’s do this!
What do you think?