דְּמוּת (de.mut)
de.mut
likeness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun demut refers to a likeness or visual representation. It appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in Genesis and Isaiah. The word describes something that resembles another thing in form or appearance, serving as a tangible sign of an underlying reality.
In Genesis 1:26, humans are created in the "likeness" of God, suggesting a reflective quality rather than identical identity. This usage distinguishes between the Creator and creation while affirming a unique correspondence. In Ezekiel’s visions, often cited alongside these texts, demut describes the appearance of divine beings or structures, emphasizing that what is seen is a representation of heavenly truths.
Translators typically render demut as "likeness" or "similitude." The term carries theological weight by balancing distinction and resemblance. It allows for meaningful comparison without collapsing the difference between the original and its copy, a nuance essential for understanding biblical anthropology and prophetic imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word demut points to a visible resemblance that hints at something deeper. When Genesis says humanity is made in God’s likeness, it does not mean we are identical to Him. Instead, it suggests a reflective quality. We mirror His character and purpose without becoming the Creator. This distinction protects our humility while affirming our unique value.
This concept appears again in Isaiah 40:18, where the prophet asks who can be likened to God. The answer is no one. The visual representation of divine glory in Ezekiel’s visions serves as a shadow of heavenly truths, reminding us that God transcends human imagination. We are invited to reflect His love and justice in our daily lives.
Understanding demut helps us see ourselves not as random accidents but as intentional reflections. It encourages a life of gratitude for the dignity given to every person. This perspective fosters respect for others, recognizing the same divine imprint in them that we carry.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] likeness of2×
- likeness1×
- like/ [the] likeness of1×
- in/ own likeness/ his1×
- in/ [the] likeness of1×
- and/ [the] likeness of1×
- according to/ likeness/ our1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּ/דְמוּתֵ֑/נוּ1×
- כִּ/דְמוּת֙1×
- וּ/דְמ֣וּת1×
- דְּמ֧וּת1×
- דְּמ֣וּת1×
- דְּמ֖וּת1×
- בִּ/דְמוּת֖/וֹ1×
- בִּ/דְמ֥וּת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:26
God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
This verse establishes the foundational theological concept that humans bear a reflective image of God, distinguishing Creator from creation.
-
Isaiah 40:18
To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to him?
The rhetorical question here emphasizes that no earthly object can truly capture the essence or likeness of the infinite God.
-
Daniel 10:16
Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.
This occurrence describes a heavenly being appearing in human form, illustrating how divine realities are represented in visible terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word demut mean?
How is demut different from tsemel?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 5 books)
Genesis 3 verses
God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over…
Genesis 5:1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God’s likeness.
Genesis 5:3Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him…