Topical Bible: Man: Created: from the Dust

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The creation of man from the dust is a foundational concept in the biblical account of human origins, emphasizing both the divine craftsmanship and the humble beginnings of humanity. This entry explores the scriptural basis and theological implications of this doctrine.

Biblical Account

The primary scriptural reference for the creation of man from the dust is found in Genesis 2:7: "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" . This verse highlights two critical aspects of human creation: the physical formation from the earth and the impartation of life through God's breath.

The Hebrew word for "formed" (יָצַר, yatsar) suggests the image of a potter shaping clay, indicating intentionality and care in the creation process. The "dust of the ground" (עָפָר, aphar) signifies the material substance from which man was made, underscoring human frailty and dependence on God.

Theological Implications

1. Divine Sovereignty and Intimacy: The act of forming man from dust illustrates God's sovereign power and intimate involvement in creation. Unlike other creatures, man is uniquely crafted by God's hands, signifying a special relationship between the Creator and humanity.

2. Human Dignity and Humility: While being made from dust points to human humility and mortality, the breath of life bestowed by God elevates man to a position of dignity. This duality reflects the biblical view of humans as both finite and bearing the image of God (imago Dei), as stated in Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" .

3. Mortality and Dependence: The creation from dust serves as a reminder of human mortality. Ecclesiastes 3:20 echoes this theme: "All go to one place: All come from dust, and to dust all return" . This reality calls for a life lived in dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the source of life and sustenance.

4. Redemption and Resurrection: The New Testament further develops the theme of creation from dust in the context of redemption and resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, Paul contrasts the first man, Adam, made from dust, with the second man, Christ, from heaven. Through Christ's resurrection, believers are promised a transformation from their earthly, dust-like bodies to glorified, heavenly bodies.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching that man was created from the dust of the ground is rich with meaning, offering insights into the nature of humanity, the character of God, and the hope of redemption. This doctrine serves as a reminder of both our humble origins and our exalted purpose as bearers of God's image.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 33:6
Behold, I am according to your wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Figure, Image, Truth: Law, Grace, Glory; Man Created Immortal ...
... more to perish or be dissolved into the dust of the ... end to sin by means of death,
lest man immortal, living ... he died, although he had not been created liable to ...
/.../chapter ii figure image truth law.htm

How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ...
... For on this verse there immediately follows the announcement, "And God created man
dust of the earth;" so those Greek manuscripts have it from which this ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how we must understand.htm

The Creaturely Man.
... Adam, and therefore were in Adam when he was created"then we ... that when God formed
Adam out of the dust He also ... gave us life, when the Lord formed man of the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

State in which Man was Created. The Faculties of the Soul --The ...
... Adam, who received his name from the dust out of ... of tacit antithesis, as it were,
setting man apart from the ... be denied that the angels also were created in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 state in which.htm

Homer's Knowledge of Man's Origin.
... which was created, he thought that the heaven which was created"and which he ... of the
formation of man, saying, "And God made man, taking dust from the ...
/.../chapter xxx homers knowledge of mans.htm

Of the Fall of the First Man, in whom Nature was Created Good, and ...
... For though God formed man of the dust of the earth, yet the earth itself, and every
earthly material, is absolutely created out of nothing; and man's soul, too ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of the fall of.htm

On the Creation of Man after the Image of God
... taken away from the body, and the body can return to the dust, from which ... X. Thus
was man created, that he might know, love and worship his Creator, and might ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxvi on the creation.htm

On the Fall of Man
... "Dust thou are, and unto dust shalt thou return." Gen.3:19. ... But why is there sin
in the world? Because man was created in the image of God: Because he is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 57 on the fall.htm

From the Creation to the Fall.
... God that gave life to man and hence he will return again to dust when that ... reason
of which man must "love his wife as his own flesh." Man is created in the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter i from the creation.htm

Man's Place in the World.
... In the one account man was created in the image of God; in the other Jehovah formed
man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils his own life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study i mans place in.htm