Knowledge Graph Scripture & Encyclopedia

Search & Explore

Suggested topics:
Found 36 topics & entities and 24 verses in 388ms
Topic Overview

Imago Dei: The Image of God & Human Constitution

Imago Dei: The Image of God & Human Constitution (Dignity, Moral Accountability, and the Trichotomist vs Dichotomist Debate): Humanity created in the image and likeness of God (tselem / demut, Gen 1:26-27 ) is a biblical foundation establishing human dignity and moral accountability. The constitutional makeup (Dichotomy vs Trichotomy) is cataloged under scholarly-debate. It is closely linked with צֶלֶם (selem) (Hebrew Lexicon • H6754 • image, likeness, statue, model): image, likeness, statue, model. Image, representation, statue; foundational theological term for Imago Dei ( Genesis 1:26-27 ), designating humankind as God's representative vice-regents.

Scripture Witness (KJV) & Canonical Context

Primary KJV scripture witnesses include 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."; Isaiah 42:17 : "They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods."; Leviticus 26:1 : "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord y...".

Connected Topics & Entities Book/Chapter Verse Person Place Lexicon Theology Commentary

Topics, People & Places (36)

Dignity, Moral Accountability, and the Trichotomist vs Dichotomist Debate

Humanity created in the image and likeness of God (tselem / demut, Gen 1:26-27 ) is a biblical foundation establishing human dignity and moral accountability. The constitutional makeup (Dichotomy vs Trichotomy) is cataloged under scholarly-debate.

צֶלֶם
selem (ṣelem) [TSEH-lem]
H6754 Hebrew noun masculine 17x
image, likeness, statue, model

Image, representation, statue; foundational theological term for Imago Dei (Genesis 1:26-27), designating humankind as God's representative vice-regents.

Derivation: From an unused root meaning to shade.
θεός
theos (theós) [theh'-os]
G2316 Greek noun common (masculine / feminine) 1307x
a god or deity, God, a god

Primary meaning: a god or deity, God, a god, deity. Strong's: figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Lexical nuances: a god or deity , God . In polytheistic sense, a god or deity : Ac 28:6 , I Co 8:4 , II Th 2:4 , al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26 , Ga 4:8 , al. Of the one true God ; anarthrous: Mt 6:24, Lk 20:38, al.; esp. c. prep. (Kühner 3 , iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ. , Jo 3:2 ; ἐκ , Ac 5:39 , II Co 5:1 , Phl 3:9 ; ὑπό , Ro 13:1 ; παρὰ θεοῦ , Jo 1:6 ; παρὰ θεῷ , II Th 1:6 , I Pe 2:4 ; κατὰ θεόν , Ro 8:27 , II Co 7:9 , 10 ; ...

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588 (ὁ)) the supreme Divinity;
Book of Kells — Chi-Rho Monogram Page (Matthew 1:18)
IMAGE • manuscripts

One of the most famous manuscript pages in human history, celebrating the Incarnation of Christ (Christi autem generatio).

Columban Monks of Iona / Kells (c. 800 CE) • Trinity College Library Dublin / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
Gustave Doré — The Creation of Light (1866)
IMAGE • artwork

Magnificent wood engraving from Dor é's illustrated Bible depicting God commanding 'Let there be light' ( Genesis 1:3 ) piercing primeval darkness.

Gustave Doré • La Grande Bible de Tours / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
Michelangelo — The Creation of Adam (Sistine Chapel)
IMAGE • artwork

Iconic high Renaissance fresco painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel illustrating God breathing life into Adam ( Genesis 2:7 ).

Michelangelo Buonarroti • Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
Caravaggio — The Calling of Saint Matthew (1600)
IMAGE • artwork

Dramatic chiaroscuro oil painting in the Contarelli Chapel depicting the moment Jesus calls the tax collector Matthew to follow Him ( Matthew 9:9 ).

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) • San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
אֱלֹהִים
elohim (ʾĕlōhîm) [el-o-HEEM]
H430 Hebrew noun masculine plural 2602x
God, gods, deity

Plural of majesty used predominantly with singular verbs to designate the one true God, Creator of the universe, possessing supreme transcendent power, sovereign authority, and plenitude of divine attributes.

Derivation: Plural of אֱלוֹהַּ (H433), probably from אֵל (H410).
Deir Alla Inscription — Prophecy of Balaam Son of Beor
IMAGE • archaeology

Red and black ink plaster wall inscription in Jordan recounting visions of the seer 'Balaam, son of Beor' ( Numbers 22 ).

Gileadite Scribes (8th Century BCE) • Archaeological Museum of Amman / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0
דְּמוּת
demut (dǝmût) [dem-OOTH]
H1823 Hebrew noun feminine 25x
likeness, similitude, pattern

Likeness, resemblance, concrete similitude; paired with tselem in Genesis 1:26 to qualify human relation to God, affirming qualitative similarity.

Derivation: From דָּמָה (H1819) to be like.
Gustave Doré — The Tower of Babel (1866)
IMAGE • artwork

The ambitious ziggurat climbing toward heaven and the confusion of human tongues across the nations.

Gustave Doré / La Grande Bible de Tours • La Grande Bible de Tours (1866) Public Domain Mark 1.0
Albrecht Dürer — The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1498)
IMAGE • artwork

Conquest, War, Famine, and Death galloping across humanity in Dürer's legendary woodcut masterpiece.

Albrecht Dürer • Metropolitan Museum of Art Public Domain Mark 1.0
Michelangelo — The Creation of Eve (Sistine Chapel)
IMAGE • artwork

God calling forth Eve from Adam 's sleeping side in the garden of Eden .

Michelangelo Buonarroti • Sistine Chapel / Vatican Museums Public Domain Mark 1.0
Albrecht Dürer — The Opening of the Seventh Seal (1498)
IMAGE • artwork

Silence in heaven and the seven angels receiving the trumpets before the throne of God.

Albrecht Dürer • Metropolitan Museum of Art Public Domain Mark 1.0
Dead Sea Scrolls — The Temple Scroll (11Q19) Column 23
IMAGE • manuscripts

The longest scroll found at Qumran detailing God's divine architectural blueprint for the Temple.

Qumran Essene Scribes / Early Christian Copyists • Shrine of the Book / Israel Antiquities Authority Public Domain Mark 1.0
אֵל
El (ʾĒl) [ale]
H410 Hebrew noun masculine 245x
God, the Mighty One

God, the Strong One; archaic Semitic designation of deity highlighting divine omnipotence, supremacy, and transcendence. Frequently in compound names (El Shaddai, El Elyon).

Derivation: From אַיִל (H352) or אוּל (H193) denoting strength, might.
Raphael — Saint Paul Preaching in Athens (1515)
IMAGE • artwork

The Apostle Paul proclaiming the Unknown God and the resurrection to the philosophers of the Areopagus .

Raphael Sanzio • Vatican Museums / Victoria and Albert Museum Public Domain Mark 1.0
Map of Abraham's Journey: Ur to Haran and Canaan
IMAGE • maps

Cartographic reconstruction of Abram 's migratory route across the Fertile Crescent following God's call ( Genesis 12 ).

Historical Biblical Cartographers • Geographicus / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
Gustave Doré — Solomon Dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem (1866)
IMAGE • artwork

King Solomon spreading his hands toward heaven as the Shekinah cloud of God's glory fills the sanctuary.

Gustave Doré / La Grande Bible de Tours • La Grande Bible de Tours (1866) Public Domain Mark 1.0
Gustave Doré — The Descent of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)
IMAGE • artwork

The holy city, the New Jerusalem , coming down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned.

Gustave Doré / La Grande Bible de Tours • La Grande Bible de Tours (1866) Public Domain Mark 1.0
Gustave Doré — The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)
IMAGE • artwork

The prophet Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones as the breath of God (Ruach) resurrects a mighty army.

Gustave Doré / La Grande Bible de Tours • La Grande Bible de Tours (1866) Public Domain Mark 1.0
Caiaphas Ossuary — Burial Box of High Priest Joseph Caiaphas
IMAGE • archaeology

Intricately carved limestone ossuary excavated in the Peace Forest south of Jerusalem , inscribed ' Joseph , son of Caiaphas' (Yehosef bar Qayafa).

Second Temple Jewish Stone Carvers • Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IAA 1990-487) / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 3.0
Seal of King Hezekiah — Royal Bulla from Ophel Excavations
IMAGE • archaeology

Impression of the royal signet ring of King Hezekiah featuring a two-winged sun disk and ankh symbols.

Chancery of King Hezekiah • Israel Antiquities Authority CC-BY-SA 4.0
Codex Washingtonianus (W, 032) — The Freer Logion
IMAGE • manuscripts

Fifth-century Gospels codex in the Smithsonian preserving an expanded post-resurrection dialogue.

Qumran Essene Scribes / Early Christian Copyists • Shrine of the Book / Israel Antiquities Authority Public Domain Mark 1.0
Codex Vaticanus (B, 03) — Gospel of Matthew 1:1–18
IMAGE • manuscripts

Genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham through David in prime Alexandrian text-type.

Qumran Essene Scribes / Early Christian Copyists • Shrine of the Book / Israel Antiquities Authority Public Domain Mark 1.0
Behistun Inscription — Darius the Great Trilingual Relief
IMAGE • archaeology

Colossal rock relief in Iran carved in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, key to deciphering cuneiform and Persian royal decrees in Ezra .

Achaemenid Persian Stonemasons (Darius the Great) • UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bisotun CC-BY-SA 4.0
Hezekiah Tunnel Inscription (Siloam Inscription)
IMAGE • archaeology

Paleo-Hebrew monumental inscription carved inside the bedrock of Hezekiah 's water tunnel commemorating the breakthrough of the two tunneling crews ( 2 Kings 20:20 ).

Royal Hebrew Stonecutters of King Hezekiah • Istanbul Archaeology Museums / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
Babatha Archive — Legal Documents from Cave of Letters
IMAGE • archaeology

Leather pouch containing 35 legal papyri preserved in the Judean wilderness during the Bar Kokhba revolt.

Ancient Near Eastern Scribes and Stonemasons • The British Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority CC-BY-SA 4.0
Caesarea Maritima Aqueduct — Roman Coastal Channel
IMAGE • archaeology

Herodian and Hadrianic high-level aqueduct carrying fresh spring water from Mount Carmel to the port city of Caesarea .

Ancient Near Eastern Scribes and Stonemasons • The British Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority CC-BY-SA 4.0
Raphael — The Transfiguration (1520, Vatican Museums)
IMAGE • artwork

Raphael's final masterpiece juxtaposing Christ 's heavenly glory on Mount Tabor with the demon-possessed boy below.

Raphael Sanzio • Vatican Museums / Victoria and Albert Museum Public Domain Mark 1.0
Dead Sea Scrolls — Habakkuk Pesher (1QpHab) Column 12
IMAGE • manuscripts

Eschatological commentary (pesher) interpreting Habakkuk 's prophecies in light of the Teacher of Righteousness.

Qumran Essene Scribes / Early Christian Copyists • Shrine of the Book / Israel Antiquities Authority Public Domain Mark 1.0
Rembrandt — Belshazzar's Feast (1635)
IMAGE • artwork

The Babylonian king terrorized by the supernatural hand writing 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin' on the wall.

Rembrandt van Rijn • Rijksmuseum / Historical Archive Public Domain Mark 1.0
Leningrad Codex (B19a) — Genesis 1:1–2:3
IMAGE • manuscripts

The oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible (dated 1008 CE), with full Tiberian Masorah.

Qumran Essene Scribes / Early Christian Copyists • Shrine of the Book / Israel Antiquities Authority Public Domain Mark 1.0

Scripture Passages (24)

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth.

Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel : peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

And the Lord hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

And they set them up Micah 's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh .

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ;

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal .

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ , who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

Link copied to clipboard
Article Wiki

Title

Open Page → Explore