Topical Bible: Man: Created: On the Sixth Day

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The creation of man is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, marking the culmination of God's creative work. According to the Book of Genesis, man was created on the sixth day, following the formation of the heavens, the earth, and all living creatures. This act of creation is described in Genesis 1:26-31, where God declares His intention to make man in His own image and likeness.

Biblical Account

Genesis 1:26-27 states: "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 and the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

This passage highlights several key aspects of man's creation:

1. Divine Deliberation: The use of "Let Us make" suggests a divine council, often interpreted as a reference to the Trinity, indicating the involvement of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the creation process.

2. Image and Likeness: Being made in the image and likeness of God sets man apart from the rest of creation. This unique status implies a reflection of God's attributes, such as rationality, morality, and the capacity for relationship.

3. Dominion and Stewardship: Man is given authority over the earth and its creatures, establishing a role of stewardship. This dominion is not one of exploitation but of responsible management and care for God's creation.

4. Male and Female: The creation of both male and female underscores the complementary nature of humanity. Together, they reflect the fullness of God's image and are tasked with the mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28).

Theological Significance

The creation of man on the sixth day is significant for several reasons:

· Culmination of Creation: Man's creation is the climax of the six-day creation narrative, emphasizing humanity's special place in God's plan. Unlike other creatures, man is endowed with a spiritual dimension, capable of communion with God.

· Purpose and Relationship: Man's creation in God's image establishes a unique relationship between humanity and the Creator. This relationship is characterized by purpose, as man is called to live in accordance with God's will and to reflect His character.

· Moral Responsibility: Being made in God's image carries moral implications. Man is accountable to God for his actions and is called to live in righteousness and holiness.

· Foundation for Human Dignity: The belief that all humans are created in the image of God forms the basis for the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, gender, or status.

Subsequent Developments

Following the creation of man, Genesis 2 provides a more detailed account of the formation of Adam and Eve, the first humans. Adam is formed from the dust of the ground, and God breathes life into him, making him a living being (Genesis 2:7). Eve is created from Adam's rib, signifying the intimate relationship between man and woman (Genesis 2:21-22).

The creation of man on the sixth day sets the stage for the unfolding drama of human history, including the fall, redemption, and ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ. This foundational event underscores the profound truth that humanity is intricately designed by God, with a purpose that transcends the material world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Third Day. Holiness and Creation.
... perfection what He has begun, and make man, created in His ... that Holiness is not
something that man is or ... evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.' Of the ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/third day holiness and creation.htm

The Devil is Well Practised in Falsehood, by which Adam Having ...
... this day, underwent His sufferings upon the day preceding the Sabbath, that is,
the sixth day of the creation, on which day man was created; thus granting him ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the devil is well.htm

Psalm XCIII.
... on the sixth day (which day is here mentioned, in that he saith, "before the Sabbath")
all animals on the earth; lastly, He on that very day created man in His ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciii.htm

Whether the Human Soul was Produced Before the Body?
... vii, 29): "We may believe, if neither Scripture nor reason forbid, that man was
made on the sixth day, in the sense that his body was created as to its causal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the human soul was.htm

The vision of Creation
... On the sixth day the earth is replenished with living creatures ... 27: 'created He him
male and female created He them ... neither is the woman without the man, nor the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the vision of creation.htm

The Six Days' Work Described.
... And God created man: in the image of God created He him; male and female created
He them. ... And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xi the six days work.htm

His System Applied to Explain Our Lord's Life and Death.
... these is) 801. [753] And for this reason (he maintains) that Moses says that
man was created on the sixth day. And (he asserts) that ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlii his system applied to.htm

On the Creation of the World
... On the sixth day the things that were wanting were created; and thus God raised
up man from the soil, as lord of all the things which He created upon the earth ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Man is Placed in Paradise.
... and all that are in them, on the sixth day, rested on ... the heavens and the earth,
when they were created, in the ... upon the earth, and there was not a man to till ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xix man is placed in.htm

The Constitution of the World and the Disposition of The
... On the sixth day he created the four-footed beasts, and made them male and
female: on the same day he also formed man. Accordingly ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 the constitution of.htm