📖 Biblical Definition
The Image of God (imago Dei) is the foundational biblical category for human nature. Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Gen 1:26). All human beings — male and female, every ethnicity, every age, the unborn and the dying — bear God's image. The image grounds human dignity, the prohibition of murder (Gen 9:6), the commandment against cursing fellow humans (Jas 3:9), and the goal of redemption (Rom 8:29).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The foundational anthropological category; humans created in God's likeness; ground of human dignity.
expand to see more
Three classical interpretations: substantive (the image is in human faculties — reason, will, soul), relational (the image is in our capacity for relationship, especially Trinitarian-shaped community), functional (the image is in human dominion / vice-regency over creation). Most modern theologians hold all three together.
The Fall marred but did not destroy the image; redemption restores it; glorification consummates it (Rom 8:29: conformed to the image of his Son).
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 1:27 — "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Genesis 9:6 — "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man."
James 3:9 — "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."
Romans 8:29 — "Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern culture often grounds human dignity in autonomy or capacity; Scripture grounds it in image-bearing — given, not earned.
expand to see more
Genesis 9:6 makes image-bearing the basis of capital ethics: murder is forbidden because man bears God's image. The unborn, the elderly, the disabled, the convict — all bear it; all are protected by the prohibition.
James 3:9 extends to speech: cursing other humans is incoherent for those who bless God, because the cursed bear His likeness. The household's tongue is calibrated by image-bearing.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew tselem (image), demut (likeness).
expand to see more
Hebrew tselem — image, statue, idol; same word in Gen 1:26 and Ezek 23:14 (idolatrous images).
Hebrew demut — likeness, similitude.
Usage
"Image-bearing is given, not earned."
"Murder is forbidden because man bears God's image."
"Cursing humans is incoherent for those who bless God."