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Perhaps the title of this post seems a “no brainer” but sadly, there is still teaching out there that only men (males) are made in God’s image, or that males image God more than females. For example, I recently interacted with someone who mentioned the:

“masculine, singular, pronoun, ‘him’ God uses in Genesis 1, to describe WHOM he created in His image, which Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 11…In Genesis 1, God declares in 3 different ways that he created man in his image, not woman, that is unless a woman is ever described by God with a singular, masculine, pronoun.”

Bang head.

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) states: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Note it begins with the word “so” referring to the previous verse (26) where it refers to God stating “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…”

Okay, if there was some doubt about the word mankind, the end of verse 27 sure brings clarity. It refers to mankind as male AND female. It also refers to mankind as THEM, as does verse 26 where it refers to mankind as THEY.

God decides to make man (singular) but refers to man as them (plural). The word mankind refers to humanity – adam in the Hebrew – encompassing both men and women. It is a generic term for human beings. And in verse 28, God continues with “them” and we see that the male and female receive not only the same name (adam) in verses 26-27, but also the same blessing and the same function in verse 28.

Furthermore, Genesis 5:2 reiterates this: “He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them ‘Mankind’ when they were created.”  – It takes the two sexes together, male and female, to express what God means by human or adam. 

The Genesis Record commentary by Henry Morris (that many would consider conservative interpretation) says in regards to Genesis 1:26-27 that: “It is made clear that ‘man’ is also a generic term, including both male and female. Both the man and woman were created…in God’s image, and thus possess equally an eternal spirit capable of personal fellowship with their Creator.” (page 75)

The NET Bible actually translates mankind (adam) in Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 5:1 as humankind. The NET Bible is known for its great translation notes, and the note on verse 26 regarding humankind states:

“The Hebrew word is adam, which can sometimes refer to man, as opposed to woman. The term refers here to humankind, comprised of male and female. The singular is clearly collective (see the plural verb, “[that] they may rule” in vs. 26b) and the referent is defined specifically as “male and female” in vs. 27. Usage elsewhere in Gen 1-11 supports this as well. In 5:2 we read: “Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and called their name ‘humankind.'” The noun also refers to humankind in 6:1, 5-7 and in 9:5-6.” (on page 5 of my NET Bible)

The issue of 1 Corinthians 11 can come up, and for that I will refer you to an excellent and helpful article by Dr. Sandra Glahn: Do Males “Image” God More Than Females?

WOMEN, please know that YOU are made in the image of God!

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