Greetings: I have been analyzing Genesis 1:26 and just curious if someone could give me some feedback. Firstly, although I do find there to be some value in the Hebrew Tanakh, I am a Septuagint supremacist (though I do not believe it is without error). My skills are primarily focused with the Greek language but i do have a basic understanding of Hebrew. The Subject Elohim is not problematic as the word is a plural of intensity just as the word adonim is used for Joseph in the book of Genesis and does not indicate a plurality of persons. The plural construction of the verbs on the other hand seem to be more problematic as I am not satisfied with the examples of majestic plural verbs being used for singular subjects in Hebraic literature. I have come across a few however I don't feel satisfied 100% with it being proof of its existence in Hebrew. I have of lately come to the conclusion that Genesis 1:26 may not be about the creation of mankind but rather of mankind being preordained and appointed to a position of dominion over the earth and the creatures in it. I have come to this conclusion after finding semitic cognates from akkadian writings for B'tselem Elohim (in the image of God). From what I could find, Tsalam ili (akkadian)was used in reference of kings and rulers in Mesopotamia to indicate they represented God/gods on earth. After looking to other languages I read but was not able to confirm the same was true for Egypt as well. I then turned to Arabic and classical Arabic literature to see if I could find more information for Tselem and discovered by the time of the Qur'an the word had developed from the Akkaddian word for image/representative to meaning Idol (Arabic word Sanam (the lamed in Hebrew was interchanged for the Arabic nun according to gesinius). From what I understand from reading a Talmudic passage in Megillah 9a They claim that the Septuagint originally read "I shall make man in image and likeness"(pls not the singular usage. Essentially I am trying to find if there is a common root to these different readings as the LXX, the Masorah, and the Talmud all seem to give 3 different renderings. My belief is that the Hebrew word asah doesnt mean create in this instance but rather appoint hence I would in the light of evidence would give a rendering as such
God said "Let me/us appoint mankind in my image and likeness (To be my representative and Lord for the earth). This is kind of a work in progress and just wanted to bounce some ideas off of people and see if someone had seen something i have overlooked. I can see some difficulty in my own rendering Shalom/Peace, Samuel/ Shmuel
