Most of us have sat down with family for a pow-wow – where everyone comes together to talk about an issue or a plan. Well, that is what God did. He had a family council, the result being, “Let us make man.”
As we began our word studies from the Creation account in Genesis 1, I did a word study on the name for God in Genesis 1:1. The name is Elohim, and I mentioned that Elohim is a plural noun suggesting a plurality in the Godhead. Now, when we come to verse 26, we find a plural verb and plural pronouns as well.
Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Well, in this verse, God seems to be talking to Himself. Now, we know that He was not talking to the angels, because man was not going to be made in the likeness of angels, but in the likeness of God. So, God was speaking to Himself when He said, “Let Us make man in Our image.”
The words, “Let us make” is one word in the Hebrew text. It is a verb which means “to make; to construct; to build something.” But the really interesting thing about this word is that it is in the first person plural – so, “Let us make” is a correct translation.
Furthermore, plural pronouns are also used in the verse. God said, “Let Us make man in Our image after Our likeness” (emphasis mine). Well, God was not just talking to Himself. He did not say, “Let me make man…” He was obviously addressing other members of the Godhead. It was a council between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Now you know the real meaning of the word.
Hey—making man was a big deal. God had a family council when He decided to do it.