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Image of God

God in Human Form

Mankind was made in God's image. The OT shows God appearing in human form, foreshadowing the incarnation of the Word.

Key verses

  • Genesis 1:27
    So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
  • Genesis 18:1–2
    The LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre … and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him.
  • Daniel 7:13–14
    One like a son of man came with the clouds of heaven … and to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.

Made in His Image

Genesis 1:27 teaches that humanity alone is made in the image and likeness of God. This implies that God has a form—not that He is limited to a body, but that the human form reflects something true about Him. When the Word became flesh (John 1:14), He took the form that was always intended to represent the divine.

Theophanies: God appearing in human form

  • Genesis 18 — The LORD appears to Abraham as one of three men; He eats, speaks, and promises Isaac.
  • Genesis 32:24–30 — Jacob wrestles with a "man" and says, "I have seen God face to face."
  • Joshua 5:13–15 — The commander of the LORD's army appears to Joshua; the ground is holy.

Son of Man in Daniel

Daniel 7:13–14 describes "one like a son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven, given everlasting dominion. Jesus applied this title to Himself (Mark 14:62). The OT consistently points to a divine figure in human form—fulfilled in Yeshua, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).