What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? The word for “image” (tselem) is used rarely in the Old Testament, and just as often refers to the image of God as it does to statues as the images of gods or created things (Num 33:52; 1 Sam 6:5). However, the “image of God” plays a special role in Genesis 1–11, not just identifying the form that humans are created in, but also referring to our role on earth. First, the image of God includes our commission: fruitfulness and care of creation.