Genesis 1:26

Let us. The Divine purpose is here stated. The Divine act not described till Genesis 2:7 , Genesis 2:21-24 .

man. Hebrew. 'adam (no Art.) = mankind.

image . . . likeness. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6 . One thing, not two = "In the likeness of our image", viz. of Elohim (not Jehovah), the 2nd person, who had taken creature form in order to create (Colossians 1:15 .Hebrews 1:3 .Revelation 3:14 ; compare Proverbs 8:22-31 , and 1 Corinthians 11:3-11 ). Refers only to outward form, not to attributes. So He afterward took human form in order to redeem (John 1:14 ). Compare Revelation 4:11 with Revelation 5:9 . In any case the "image and likeness" is physical, not moral. Man fell and is a moral ruin, but some physical likeness to 'elohim still remains. Compare Genesis 9:6 . 1 Corinthians 11:7 . James 3:9 . No indication that that similitude was ever lost. Genesis 5:3 . See note on Genesis 3:7 .

and. Note Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) here, and throughout the Introduction (see Genesis 1:2 ), emphasizing the Divine purpose.