The Hebrew verb damah means to be like, to resemble, to be comparable to, or to liken. It is the root from which demut (H1823, 'likeness') derives — the same word used in Genesis 1:26 ('in our image, after our likeness').
The creation of humanity 'in the image and likeness (demut)' of God (Genesis 1:26–27) reflects the damah root at the heart of human identity. Humanity is uniquely God-like — not identical, but genuinely resembling Him in rationality, morality, and relational capacity.
The prophets use damah in rhetorical questions: 'To whom will you compare me?' (Isaiah 40:25). These expose the absurdity of idolatry — nothing created can genuinely be likened to the Creator.