Why did God make man in His image? When we unpack the meaning of ”the image of God“ against the background of the culture, the meaning becomes clear. Let me explain. 

In ancient times, when a king conquered territory far from his homeland, he would place an icon…an idol or image of himself…in a prominent place in that country, to signify his government and authority over that land. The “idol” would stand as a representative of himself so that the people would recognise his sovereignty and obey his laws. 

God is the owner, ruler, and authority over the whole earth. 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When God had completed His work of transforming a damaged earth and filling the planet with plants and creatures in preparation for human habitation…

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is much more in these verses than a superficial reading reveals. Let’s look at the specific words God used…

“Tselem”…”image”, is the word usually translated “icon” or “idol”…not necessarily meaning a false god but rather a representation of the king or god of that land. An idol was made to represent the god who was the real figure behind the image.  

Paul understood this. 

“Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To Paul, idols were only the visible representation of the demons who were the real beings behind the idols. 

The second word is “damuwth” from “ damah” which means “shape” or “resemblance”, the word translated “likeness”. Man would be created as a visible representation of God, filled with His breath, resembling Him, literally a phantom or shadow of Himself. For what purpose? To be God’s deputy, His representative on earth, managing the earth on God’s behalf as His “idol” or “icon”…just as a king would place his icon in a conquered territory. 

Every human on earth, therefore, is a living, walking representative of God, carrying the authority to manage the earth for Him. The fact that sin distorted God’s image, does not change this truth. 

The image of God is still imprinted on every person whether they know or acknowledge it or not. To all mankind has been given the mandate to rule over the earth for God as His designated authority. This means that God also holds humans accountable for what they do with  His earth. 

Can you see, then, how significant this truth is? That man has God’s image imprinted on him, has some spinoffs. For example…

“And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The death sentence for a murderer is not about justice, or being inhumane. It’s about being accountable because murder is an assault on the image of God. 

Second, God’s image in humans must also govern the way we speak about and treat people. Regardless of their social, financial, or physical condition…their appearance…their function…or any other external consideration…everyone bears God’s image and is therefore, worthy of dignity and respect. Contempt in any form is also an assault on the image of God. 

The third spinoff is something we can deduce from the reality of God’s image in us. Should it not be, as far as possible, the responsibility of every individual to elevate others, whether by attitude or action, because they bear the image of God? By doing so, we not only benefit others but ourselves also because we all stand on level ground before God. When we put others down, we despise Gods image in them. 

We see, then, that the image of God in every human…regardless of colour, culture, or status…sets us apart from all other creatures, gives us dignity, holds us accountable, and gives us authority…under God…to fulfil His mandate for all humanity. He has put us on His earth, His territory, to signify His ownership and rule over His creation and given us the mandate to deputise His rule on His behalf.