Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 1:26. It’s a really important and fascinating passage in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “Wow, we need a partner. We want to create a being that’s like us – with our same qualities, our same spirit, and our same way of thinking.” Let's unpack it a little more: “And God said…” : This sets the stage - God is initiating a creation process. “…Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” : This means God wants to create a being that mirrors us . It’s not just copying; it's about having qualities and characteristics that are similar to humanity. “…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.” : This is the really important part. It gives us a picture of what it means to be “made in our image." It means: Fish of the sea: God wants a being with the ability to live in water and hunt fish. Fowl of the air: God wants a being that can fly and soar through the sky. Cattle: God wants a being that can graze and provide food for others. All the earth: God wants a being who can live on land. Every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth: This is a broad category – anything that moves around, lives, or crawls – from insects to small animals. It means this being should have the ability to interact with and influence the world around them. So, what does it really mean? It’s about God establishing a relationship with humanity. He's creating us to be stewards of the Earth - to live in harmony with creation and take care of it. It implies that humans are given dominion over all living things – this is a key concept in many religious beliefs, especially concerning responsibility for the planet. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a creation story, but it’s also seen as a statement about God's plan for humanity to live responsibly and take care of the world. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its theological significance? Talk about different interpretations of the verse?