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how did other ancient near eastern cultures describe humanity's role in creation?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Genesis 1:26-28

“26 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 birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””

This passage comes from the first chapter of Genesis, part of the opening narrative of the Hebrew Bible, describing God's creation of the world and humanity. It presents humanity as the pinnacle of creation, made in God's image and given a special role.

What does being made in God's image and given dominion mean for our relationship with the natural world and with one another today?

Then — the setting

This text was likely composed and compiled during the first millennium BCE, possibly during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), though it draws on older traditions. It addresses an Israelite audience, grounding their identity and purpose in a universal creation narrative. In contrast to many Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) creation accounts, which often depict humans as an afterthought, created out of divine necessity (e.g., to feed the gods through labor) or as slaves to the deities, Genesis 1 presents humanity as deliberately and specially created, holding a unique status and purpose. For instance, in the Babylonian Epic of Atrahasis, humans are created to relieve the gods of their toil, while in the Enuma Elish, humanity arises from the blood of a slain rebellious god. Genesis, however, elevates humanity to a position of vice-regency, reflecting divine attributes and tasked with creative stewardship, not merely servitude.

Across the Testaments

The Old Testament concept of humanity as created in God's image and given dominion sets a foundational understanding for human identity and purpose. The New Testament affirms and deepens this. For example, in Romans 8, Paul speaks of creation groaning, awaiting the revealing of the 'sons of God,' suggesting that humanity's restoration is tied to the restoration of the cosmos. Colossians 1:15 further identifies Jesus as the 'image of the invisible God,' implying that humanity's original imaging of God finds its perfect expression and ultimate restoration in Christ. While the Old Testament emphasizes humanity's earthly role as stewards, the New Testament expands this to include a spiritual transformation that enables humanity to truly reflect God's character and participate in his redemptive work across all creation.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Psalm 8:4-8
Echoes the theme of human dignity and dominion over creation, seeing humanity as 'a little lower than God.'
Genesis 2:15
Supplements the idea of dominion with the command to 'tend and keep' the garden, implying stewardship.
Colossians 1:15-17
New Testament passage identifying Christ as the image of God, through whom all things were created.

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