And God said, “Let us make man in our image; according to our likeness.” Genesis 1:26

According To Our Likeness – De’mut is the Hebrew word translated “likeness.” It is a feminine noun. Tselem, the word for “image,” is a masculine noun. The text makes it quite clear that both words apply to the God-carrying, earth-creatures. But what’s the difference? Why not just say Man is created in God’s image and leave it at that? Why add this word?

A quick pass shows us God apparently combines masculine (image) and feminine (likeness) characteristics. Gender words don’t seem to be a problem here. Before sex is any kind of issue at all, the Hebrew text recognizes equality in its very choice of words.

Next we discover that de’mut (likeness) is often used in comparison of two dissimilar things.  Wicked people are like snake venom (Psalm 58:4).  The approaching wrath of God is like the thunder of an army on the move (Isaiah 13:4).  We see these similes but where is the comparison in the Genesis text?  What simile or metaphor is involved here?

We could suggest that the metaphor is the comparison of human beings with God.  These truly dissimilar beings are brought together by comparing something similar in each.  What is the similarity?  For that, we need a picture.

The full phrase (“according to our likeness”) is kidmoo-tenoo.  In the middle is de’mut.  This word presents the picture:  path-chaos-nail-seal (Daleth-Mem-Vav-Tau).  We suggest “the path securing a covenant over chaos.”  To be in God’s likeness is to be on the pathway that guarantees life over destruction.  God’s image is about transferred authority and order over what destroys.  God’s likeness is about the seal or guarantee that this pathway means life.  Both are active, dynamic relationships, not static elements.  Both require a prior and continuing connection to the Creator.  And both endorse life over chaos.

What happens when we add the consonant prefix and suffix?  Ki is the Hebrew word for “according to.”  But the consonant Kaf is the picture of an open hand.  It means “to allow, to open, to cover.”  Noo adds two consonants to the word, one which acts as a vowel.  They are Nun-Vav.  The picture is life secured or added.  What does the whole phrase look like?  “Allow the path that secures a covenant over chaos of guaranteed life” might be one possibility.  You might determine another, but the imagery seems obvious.  Being human means being tied to God’s path to life.  It means standing against chaos and the forces that destroy life.  It means sharing in a covenant guarantee.  It means knowing what is permitted and what is not, and acting accordingly.  Any behavior that denies, negates or rejects these images is not human behavior and the creatures who exhibit non-human behavior are not the creatures God made.  Perhaps more accurately, God intends His earth-creatures to become human.  It is a process of dynamic interaction with roles, responsibilities and a relationship with Him.  Over time, those who have been designed to become human can reject this path.  Many do.  They eventually arrive at a destination not intended for human beings.  Human beings are intended to arrive at “our image and likeness.”

It might be useful for followers of the Way to recognize just what is at stake here.  It’s not simply salvation, is it?

Topical Index: likeness, de’mut, kidmoo-tenoo, human, Genesis 1:26