Does God Have A Physical Body?

Name: Chris
Question: We are created in the image of God, and we have a body. Since we were created in His image, does God have a body? I wonder what in His image really means… Any thoughts? Thank you.

Answer: Thank you for the question Chris.

You got it. Since God created mankind in “His Image,” that means we are a literal representation of God’s appearance. We look just like our Heavenly Father.

Turn your Bible with me to,

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

God said, He was going to create mankind in “our image, after our likeness.” That means our body is a literal reflection of His body. We share the same likeness.

Now, let’s take a look at the word “image” which can also mean,

To shade; a phantom, that is, (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence a representative figure, especially an idol: – image, vain shew.

Let’s also take a look at the word “likeness” which can also mean,

Resemblance; concretely model, shape; adverbially like: – fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude.

So in this context, God was literally saying, ‘let’s make mankind to resemble us.’

Since we resemble God, that means our body looks just like God’s physical body. Despite God appearing in many various forms, including: a burning bush, a pillar of fire, a cloud, and so on. His actual appearance, His body resembles our own.

Here’s another verse that explains we are created to resemble the likeness of God.

James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Mankind is the literal reflection of God, our Creator. That means, He thinks you’re pretty special, (Deuteronomy 4:32).

Moses Saw God

Moses was a faithful servant to God. If you recall in the book of Exodus, Moses wanted to see what God looked like. With that thought in mind, let’s see what happens.

Exodus 33:19-23
19 And he [God] said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by;

23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

God took on His physical appearance to allow Moses to see Him, but only God’s backside, not His face. Therefore, God’s body has mass, just as the Angel’s body has mass. You may recall, numerous times in Scripture Angels appeared to men and even consumed their food.

Their appearance is just like our own.

In Genesis 18, there is even an account of God appearing before Abraham and eating with Him, (Genesis 18). This could not have been God’s “literal” appearance though, “for there shall no man see me, and live.”

Even more interesting, when God spoke at Horeb, He did not appear before the Israelites in His form, or any other form for that matter, (Deuteronomy 4:11-19). The reason? So the Israelites did not make an image of Him, and worship that image, instead of God.