NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 1:27 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
So God created human beings in his own image.In the image of God he created them;male and female he created them.
21 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
21 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 1:27?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 1:27 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Genesis 1:27 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.