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Gen Intro C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31 C32 C33 C34 C35 C36 C37 C38 C39 C40 C41 C42 C43 C44 C45 C46 C47 C48 C49 C50
Gen 1 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31
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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every creature moving on the earth.”
OET-LV And_he/it_said god let_us_make humankind in_our_image according_to_our_likeness/pattern and_they_will_rule_over on/over_(a)_fish_of the_sea and_on/over_bird_of the_heavens and_on/over_cattle/livestock and_on/over_all the_earth/land and_on/over_all the_creeping_(thing) the_(one)_creeping on the_earth/land.
UHB וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ וְיִרְדּוּ֩ בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּבְכָל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּבְכָל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ‡
(vayyoʼmer ʼₑlohim naˊₐseh ʼādām bəʦalmēnū kidəmūtēnū vəyirdū ⱱidəgat hayyām ūⱱəˊōf hashshāmayim ūⱱabəhēmāh ūⱱəkāl-hāʼāreʦ ūⱱəkāl-hāremes hāromēs ˊal-hāʼāreʦ.)
Key: khaki:verbs, blue:Elohim.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
BrLXX Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεός, Ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατʼ εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθʼ ὁμοίωσιν· καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ τῶν κτηνῶν, καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
(Kai eipen ho Theos, Poiaʸsōmen anthrōpon katʼ eikona haʸmeteran kai kathʼ homoiōsin; kai arⱪetōsan tōn iⱪthuōn taʸs thalassaʸs, kai tōn peteinōn tou ouranou, kai tōn ktaʸnōn, kai pasaʸs taʸs gaʸs, kai pantōn tōn herpetōn tōn herpontōn epi taʸs gaʸs. )
BrTr And God said, Let us make man according to our image and likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the flying creatures of heaven, and over the cattle and all the earth, and over all the reptiles that creep on the earth.
ULT Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every moving creature moving on the earth.”
UST Then God said to himself, “Now we should make human beings to be like us and act like us, and let us put them in charge of the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, the domestic animals, and the entire earth, including all the animals that live on the earth.”
BSB ¶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself [fn] and every creature that crawls upon it.”
1:26 MT; Syriac and over all the beasts of the earth
OEB ⇔ Then God said, ‘Let us make humans who are images of us, who are like us.
⇔ Let them rule over the fish of the sea,
⇔ the birds of the sky, the cattle, the wild beasts,
⇔ and all the reptiles that crawl upon the ground.’
WEBBE God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
WMBB (Same as above)
MSG (26-28)God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
NET Then God said, “Let us make
¶ humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”
LSV And God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over [the] fish of the sea, and over [the] bird of the heavens, and over livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.”
FBV God said, “Let us make human beings in our image who are like us.[fn] They will have authority over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over the whole of the earth and every creature that moves on it.”
1:26 This aspect of being “like” God conveys the idea of being “patterned” after God. The word is also translated “similitude,” “figure” or “form.” The most essential aspect of this resemblance is surely that of character.
T4T Then God said, “Now we will make human beings that will be like us in many ways. I want them to rule over the fish in the sea, over the birds, over all the ◄livestock/domestic animals►, and over all the other creatures that scurry across the ground.”
LEB And God said, “Let us make humankind in[fn] our image and according to[fn] our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of heaven,[fn] and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every moving thing that moves upon the earth.”
BBE And God said, Let us make man in our image, like us: and let him have rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every living thing which goes flat on the earth.
Moff No Moff GEN book available
JPS And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.'
ASV And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
DRA And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
YLT And God saith, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.'
Drby And [fn]God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over the whole earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth.
1.26 Elohim
RV And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Wbstr And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth.
KJB-1769 ¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl/bird of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. )
KJB-1611 ¶ And God said, [fn]Let vs make man in our Image, after our likenesse: and let them haue dominion ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the foule of the aire, and ouer the cattell, and ouer all the earth, and ouer euery creeping thing that creepeth vpon the earth.
(¶ And God said, Let us make man in our Image, after our likenesse: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl/bird of the aire, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.)
1:26 Chap.5.1. and 9.6. 1.corin.11. 7. ephes.4. 14. col.3. 10.
Bshps God saide: let vs make man in our image, after our lykenesse, and let them haue rule of the fisshe of the sea, & of the foule of the ayre, and of cattell, & of all the earth, and of euery creepyng thyng that creepeth vpon the earth.
(God said: let us make man in our image, after our likenesse, and let them have rule of the fisshe of the sea, and of the fowl/bird of the ayre, and of cattle, and of all the earth, and of every creepyng thing that creepeth upon the earth.)
Gnva Furthermore God said, Let vs make man in our image according to our likenes, and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea, and ouer the foule of the heauen, and ouer the beastes, and ouer all the earth, and ouer euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth.
(Furthermore God said, Let us make man in our image according to our likenes, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl/bird of the heaven, and over the beasts/animals, and over all the earth, and over every thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth. )
Cvdl And God sayde: let vs make man in or similitude after oure licknesse, that he maye haue rule ouer the fysh of the see, and ouer the foules vnder ye heauen, and ouer catell, and ouer all the earth, and ouer all wormes that crepe on ye earth.
(And God said: let us make man in or similitude after our licknesse, that he may have rule over the fysh of the see, and over the fowls/birds under ye/you_all heaven, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over all worms that crepe on ye/you_all earth.)
Wycl Make we man to oure ymage and liknesse, and be he souereyn to the fischis of the see, and to the volatilis of heuene, and to vnresonable beestis of erthe, and to ech creature, and to ech `crepynge beest, which is moued in erthe.
(Make we man to our image and liknesse, and be he souereyn to the fishes of the see, and to the volatilis of heaven, and to unresonable beasts/animals of earth, and to each creature, and to each `crepynge beast/animal, which is moved in earth.)
Luth Und GOtt sprach: Laßt uns Menschen machen, ein Bild, das uns gleich sei, die da herrschen über die Fische im Meer und über die Vögel unter dem Himmel und über das Vieh und über die ganze Erde und über alles Gewürm, das auf Erden kreucht.
(And God spoke: Laßt us/to_us/ourselves Menschen machen, a Bild, the us/to_us/ourselves gleich sei, the there herrschen above the Fische in_the sea and above the Vögel under to_him heaven and above the Vieh and above the ganze earth and above all/everything Gewürm, the on earthn kreucht.)
ClVg et ait: Faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram: et præsit piscibus maris, et volatilibus cæli, et bestiis, universæque terræ, omnique reptili, quod movetur in terra.[fn]
(and he_said: Faciamus hominem to imaginem and similitudinem nostram: and præsit piscibus maris, and volatilibus cæli, and bestiis, universæque terræ, omnique reptili, that movetur in terra. )
1.26 Faciamus hominem. AUG., ibid., c. 19 Insinuatur pluralitas personarum Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti, et statim unitas deitatis, cum dicitur: Et fecit Deus hominem ad imaginem Dei, non Pater ad imaginem tantum Filii. Non enim vere diceretur ad imaginem nostram; sed ita dictum est: Fecit Deus hominem ad imaginem Dei, ac si diceretur ad imaginem suam. Cum autem dicitur ad imaginem Dei, cum superius dictum sit, ad imaginem nostram, significatur quod non agit pluralitas personarum, ut plures deos credamus, sed ut Patrem, et Filium, et Spiritum sanctum unum Deum accipiamus. Faciamus hominem. BEDA, in Hexæm. Apparet quare dictum sit ut cætera fierent, etc., usque ad sed ut veram post mortem se carnem recepisse monstraret. Et præsit, etc. AUG., lib. III de Gen. c. 20 Notandum etiam quia cum dixisset ad imaginem nostram, continuo subjunxit: Et præsit piscibus maris et volatilibus cœli. Ut scilicet intelligamus in hoc factum hominem ad imaginem Dei, in quo irrationabilibus antecellit. Id autem est ratio, vel mens, vel intelligentia, vel si alio nomine commodius vocetur, in quo scilicet contemplandæ veritati inhæret.
1.26 Faciamus hominem. AUG., ibid., c. 19 Insinuatur pluralitas personarum Patris, and Children, and Spiritus sancti, and immediately unitas deitatis, when/with it_is_said: And he_did God hominem to imaginem of_God, not/no Pater to imaginem only Children. Non because vere diceretur to imaginem nostram; but ita dictum it_is: Fecit God hominem to imaginem of_God, ac when/but_if diceretur ad imaginem suam. Since however it_is_said ad imaginem of_God, when/with superius dictum let_it_be, ad imaginem nostram, significatur that not/no agit pluralitas personarum, as plures deos credamus, but as Patrem, and Son, and Spiritum holy one God accipiamus. Faciamus hominem. BEDA, in Hexæm. Apparet quare dictum let_it_be as cætera fierent, etc., until to but as veram after mortem se carnem recepisse monstraret. And præsit, etc. AUG., lib. III about Gen. c. 20 Notandum also because when/with dixisset ad imaginem nostram, continuo subyunxit: And præsit piscibus maris and volatilibus cœli. Ut scilicet intelligamus in this done hominem to imaginem of_God, in quo irrationabilibus antecellit. That however it_is ratio, or mens, or intelligentia, or when/but_if alio nomine commodius vocetur, in quo scilicet contemplandæ veritati inhæret.
1:26 Let us make is more personal than the remote “Let there be” (e.g., 1:3, 6).
• The plural us has inspired several explanations: (1) the Trinity; (2) the plural to denote majesty; (3) a plural to show deliberation with the self; and (4) God speaking with his heavenly court of angels. The concept of the Trinity—one true God who exists eternally in three distinct persons—was revealed at a later stage in redemptive history, making it unlikely that the human author intended that here. Hebrew scholars generally dismiss the plural of majesty view because the grammar does not clearly support it (the plural of majesty has not been demonstrated to be communicated purely through a plural verb). The plural of self-deliberation also lacks evidence; the only clear examples refer to Israel as a corporate unity (e.g., 2 Sam 24:14). God’s speaking to the heavenly court, however, is well-attested in the Old Testament (see Gen 3:22; 11:7; 1 Kgs 22:19-22; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; 38:7; Ps 89:5-6; Isa 6:1-8; Dan 10:12-13).
• The descriptors in our image and like us are virtually synonymous in Hebrew. Humans enjoy a unique relationship with God.
• They will reign: Humans represent the Creator as his ambassadors, vice-regents, and administrators on earth.
Blessing
Before his death, Jacob offered a blessing to each of his sons (49:1-28), as well as to Joseph’s sons (Gen 48:3-20), just as his father Isaac had blessed him (27:27-29). Blessing enables, enhances, and enriches life, whereas a curse diminishes it (Lev 26:14-39). A blessing is issued publicly by a benefactor and provides power for prosperity and success. Blessing is essential to covenant relationships in that it guides and motivates the parties to obey the covenant’s stipulations (Lev 26:3-13). Obedience leads to blessing, whereas rebellion brings a curse (see Deut 28).
The initial realm of blessing is creation, in which God as Creator is the ultimate granter of blessing for animals (Gen 1:22) and humans (1:28; see Pss 104; 128:3-4). Humans also serve as channels of divine blessing. Abraham was called to be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12:2-3). The institutions of family (27:27-29), government (1 Kgs 8:14, 52, 66), and religion (Gen 14:19; Lev 9:22) are nurtured, commissioned, and purified through blessing. Israel’s priests mediated God’s blessing to Israel (Num 6:24-26; Deut 10:8).
Three basic characteristics can be observed in Old Testament blessings: (1) They are conveyed from a greater party to a lesser one (Gen 32:26; Heb 7:6-7); (2) they are signs of favor that result in well-being and productivity (Deut 28:3-7); and (3) they acknowledge that all power and blessing stems from the Creator. All blessings have their source in God’s love (Deut 7:7-8, 12-15).
God’s blessings in the Old Testament are in striking contrast with those of the pagan religions of antiquity. For pagan religions, fortunes and fertility of flock, family, and fields came about through sympathetic magic in ceremonial observances at their shrines—profane customs that were designed to manipulate the deities to act on their behalf so that the cycle of life could be maintained. In the Old Testament, all life, fertility, and blessing came by God’s decree, for he is the only true and living God.
In the New Testament, the emphasis of blessing shifts from the material to the spiritual, from the nation to the church, and from the temporal to the eternal (Matt 6:25; Eph 1:3; 1 Pet 3:9). In his death, Jesus carried the consequences of sin’s curse (Gal 3:13), established God’s Kingdom (Matt 3:2; 5:3-20; John 3:3-5), and blessed its citizens with forgiveness of sin (Rom 4:6-25). Now believers are called to bless the world (Luke 6:27-28; Rom 12:14; see also Isa 19:24; Zech 8:13).
Passages for Further Study
Gen 1:22, 28; 9:26-27; 12:2-3; 14:19-20; 24:59-60; 27:1-41; 28:1-4; 32:24-30; 46:1–50:26; Lev 26:3-13; Num 6:22-27; Deut 7:12-15; 10:8; 28:1-14; 33:1-29; 1 Sam 2:20-21; Ps 128:1-6; Matt 5:3-12; Luke 6:27-28; Rom 12:14; Gal 3:13-14; Eph 1:3; Heb 7:6-7; 1 Pet 3:9
Note 1 topic: writing-quotations
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים
and=he/it_said ʼElohīm
Here God is not commanding anything to happen, but is getting ready to personally create mankind himself (the details are given in Gen 2:7, 21-22). Some languages have to specify who is being spoken to. Do what is best in your language.
נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
we_will_make
Most Bible scholars think that the plural pronouns (us and our) in this verse refer to God and reflect the fact that he is three Persons in one God. So it is best to keep these pronouns plural in your translation. Also, many translations capitalize the first letter of all pronouns that refer to God in order to show him honor and respect. Your translation team needs to decide whether or not you will do that too. Be consistent with your decision as you translate the Bible. Alternate translation: “Now we will make”
אָדָ֛ם
humankind
The Hebrew word for man is used here (and in verse 27) as a collective noun that refers to human beings in general, including both male and female. Alternate translation: “mankind”
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet
בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ
in=our=image according_to=our=likeness/pattern
These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that God made mankind to be like himself in many ways. Alternate translation: “to be like us, so that they are similar to us in many ways,”
וְיִרְדּוּ֩
and=they_will_rule_over
Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “and let us put them in control of” or “We will give them authority to rule”
בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם
on/over=(a)_fish_of the=sea
Alternate translation: “the fish in the sea”
וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם
and=on/over=bird_of the=heavens
Some translations leave out the phrase of the sky because it is strongly implied and may not sound natural in their languages. However, if it is natural in your language, it is best to include this phrase, because the author repeatedly contrasts three large categories of animals in this section: creatures that live on the ground, creatures that swim in the water, and creatures that fly in the sky. Alternate translation: “the birds that fly in the sky”
וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙
and=on/over=cattle/livestock
Consider again how you translated livestock in verses 24-26. Alternate translation: “the farm animals,”
וּבְכָל הָאָ֔רֶץ
and=on/over=all the=earth/land
This refers to the planet earth and everything on it, including water, soil, metals, minerals, and other resources, as well as all the plants and animals.
וּבְכָל הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ
and=on/over=all and=on/over=all the=creeping_(thing) the=(one)_creeping on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in the=earth/land
For some languages it is not natural to repeat and or over with each item in this list. Consider what is the best way to translate a list like this in your language. Alternate translation: “including every creature that moves on the earth.” or “and all the animals that live on the earth.”