Man

Man in biblical theology designates the creature made in the image and likeness of God (imago Dei), distinguished from all other creatures by this unique dignity and by the specific divine address and covenant relationship God establishes with humanity. The Hebrew text uses three primary terms: 'adam (the generic term for humanity, also the proper name of the first man), 'ish (a man as individual male), and 'enosh (mortal man, often emphasizing human frailty). The creation account in Genesis 1:26–27 presents the making of 'adam — male and female together — as the culmination of creation, given dominion over the earth. Genesis 2:7 describes God forming ha-'adam from the dust of the ground (adamah) and breathing into him the breath of life.

The fall of Adam in Genesis 3 is the foundational event for the biblical understanding of universal human sinfulness and the need for redemption. Paul's typological reading in Romans 5:12–21 and 1 Corinthians 15:21–22, 45–49 presents Adam as the head of humanity in sin and death, Christ as the last Adam who is head of a new humanity in righteousness and life. Psalm 8 holds together both dimensions — the frailty of mortal man ('enosh) and the dignity of the one crowned with glory and given dominion — a psalm Hebrews 2:5–9 applies to Jesus as the true human who fully realizes the divine intention for humanity.