Out of all the creatures God made, only humans are said to be in the image of God. The Hebrew words "image" and "likeness" both refer to something that is similar but not identical to the thing it is an image of. The basic idea of these two words is that humans are like God and are to represent God. This fact that we are created in the image of God ought to give us a profound sense of dignity.
Out of all the creatures God made, only the man and the woman are said to be in God's image. We are similar to animals in that we live in the same physical world and have many similar characteristics. Yet, at the same time, humans uniquely possess aspects that show us to be more like God than the rest of his creation. This includes that we are morally accountable to God, spiritually capable of relating to God, mentally able to grasp more of God's character and thoughts, and relationally capable of entering into community.
Humans were created in God's image, but what about after Adam and Eve sinned? Sin has distorted our likeness to God, but we still bear his image. This is seen in passages such as Genesis 9:6, where God grants to Noah the authority to establish the death penalty: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."
Other passages which expressly state that humans are made in God's image include Genesis 5:1, 3: 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24: Colossians 3:10; and James 3:9.
