How Does the Bible Describe the First Human?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Key Facts
Term Name
First Human
Term Type
Theological Concept
Purpose
To establish humanity’s origin, divine image, and stewardship role in creation.
Biblical Example
Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:7-24
Key Takeaways
- The 'First human' refers to Adam and Eve, progenitors of all humanity.
- Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, reflecting His character and purpose.
- Their story establishes themes of human dignity, fall, and redemption in biblical theology.
What is the First Human?
The term 'First human' in the Bible refers to Adam and Eve, the First human beings created by God in Genesis 1 - 2, who serve as the progenitors of all humanity.
According to Genesis 1:26-27, God directly forms Adam from the dust of the ground and breathes life into him, declaring, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness... So God created mankind in his own image.' This act underscores humanity’s unique role as bearers of God’s image. Genesis 2:7-24 elaborates on Adam’s creation and Eve’s formation from his rib, emphasizing their shared origin and unity. Together, they represent the covenantal foundation of human life and relationship with God.
The narrative portrays Adam and Eve as the starting point of human history, created in a state of harmony with God and each other. Their creation in Genesis 2:7-24 highlights both their physical and spiritual dimensions: Adam receives a living soul from God’s breath, while Eve, formed from Adam’s side, symbolizes companionship and relational completeness. Theologically, their story establishes humanity’s purpose as stewards of creation (Genesis 1:28) and reflects God’s intentional design for human community. However, the text also acknowledges their vulnerability to disobedience, setting the stage for the fall narrative that follows.
The Theological Significance of the First Human
The First humans hold a foundational role in biblical theology, serving as both the origin of humanity and the pivotal figures in the narrative of salvation.
In Genesis 1:26-27, Adam and Eve are uniquely fashioned in God’s image, granting them a distinct role as stewards of creation (Genesis 1:28) and recipients of divine fellowship. This covenantal relationship is further emphasized in Genesis 2:7-24, where Adam’s formation from dust and Eve’s creation from his side symbolize their shared humanity and unity. Theologically, their story establishes humanity’s purpose and vulnerability, setting the stage for the fall. Romans 5:12-19 later interprets Adam’s disobedience as the source of sin’s entrance into the world, framing him as a 'federal head' whose choice has universal consequences, paralleled by Christ’s redemptive headship.
The First humans thus symbolize humanity’s dual trajectory: from innocence to estrangement (Genesis 3) and from condemnation to restoration (Romans 5:15-19). Their narrative undergirds later biblical themes of covenant, atonement, and eschatological renewal. This interplay between fall and redemption positions Adam and Eve as essential to understanding the scope of God’s salvific plan.
How to Read First Humans Correctly
To interpret the biblical portrayal of the First Humans, readers must approach Genesis 1-3 as theological narrative, not scientific history, while engaging with its literary and historical context.
The Genesis creation accounts blend poetic imagery (e.g., divine council language in Gen 1:26) with narrative elements, reflecting ancient Near Eastern cosmology. Historical-critical scholars debate Adam and Eve’s historicity, but the text’s primary purpose is to affirm humanity’s covenantal relationship with God.
1 Timothy 2:13-14 and 2 Corinthians 11:3 highlight Adam and Eve’s theological role in Christian tradition. 1 Timothy 2:13-14 states, ‘Adam was formed first, then Eve,’ emphasizing creation order in Paul’s argument for male leadership, while 2 Corinthians 11:3 warns, ‘the serpent deceived Eve...’ - a metaphor for spiritual vulnerability. Modern readers should avoid reducing these texts to allegory or literal history. Instead, they should attend to the authors’ theological aims, such as God’s design for human flourishing and the consequences of disobedience, which resonate throughout Scripture.
Going Deeper
To deepen your understanding of the First Human's role in Christian doctrine, explore scholarly commentaries on Genesis and engage with theological discussions about Adam's historicity.
Resources like the *New Bible Commentary* or N.T. Wright's *The Resurrection of the Son of God* offer insights into Genesis's theological framework, while debates between literal and symbolic interpretations of Adam (e.g., in *The Quest for the Historical Adam*) reflect ongoing scholarly discourse. Consider how these perspectives shape interpretations of Romans 5:12-19, which links Adam's sin to Christ's redemptive work.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Genesis 1:26-27
God creates mankind in His image, establishing humanity’s unique role.
Genesis 2:7-24
Details Adam’s formation from dust and Eve’s creation from his rib.
Romans 5:12-19
Links Adam’s disobedience to the universal consequences of sin.
Related Concepts
Image of God (Theological Concepts)
The divine likeness given to humans, central to their creation and purpose.
The Fall (Events)
Adam and Eve’s disobedience, introducing sin into human history.
Federal Headship (Theological Concepts)
The doctrine that Adam’s choice affected all humanity, paralleled by Christ’s redemptive role.