Make

Lore & Background

The verb 'make' first appears in God's creative speech: 'Let us make man in our image' (Genesis 1:26). This divine making establishes humanity's role and dominion. Later, God makes a helper for the man (Genesis 2:18) and, after the fall, coats of skins to clothe them (Genesis 3:21). God also commands Noah to make an ark of specific dimensions (Genesis 6:14-16), blending divine instruction with human craftsmanship. Human making is prominent in the tower of Babel account, where people say, 'let us make brick' and 'let us make us a name' (Genesis 11:3-4). Abraham and his household engage in making food: Sarah makes cakes (Genesis 18:6), and Isaac requests savory meat (Genesis 27:4, 7, 9). The daughters of Lot scheme to make their father drink wine (Genesis 19:32, 34). God repeatedly promises to 'make' Abraham into a great nation (Genesis 12:2), to make his seed as the dust (Genesis 13:16), and to make him fruitful (Genesis 17:6). These divine 'makes' are covenantal, establishing future blessings. Similarly, God promises to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 17:20; 21:13, 18). The making of covenants—between God and Noah (Genesis 9:12), between Abraham and God (Genesis 17:2), and between Isaac and Abimelech (Genesis 26:28; 31:44)—underscores the term's relational weight.

Reader's Guide

The passages portray 'make' as a versatile action spanning divine creation, human labor, and covenantal relationship. God's making is sovereign and purposeful: He makes humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26), a helper for companionship (Genesis 2:18), and garments to cover shame (Genesis 3:21). These acts address fundamental needs—identity, relationship, and provision. God also makes promises that shape history, such as making Abraham a great nation (Genesis 12:2) and multiplying his seed (Genesis 13:16; 26:4). Human making is often practical and communal. People make bricks and a tower to build a name and prevent scattering (Genesis 11:3-4). Noah makes an ark for survival (Genesis 6:14-16). Food preparation is a recurring theme: Sarah makes cakes (Genesis 18:6), and Isaac and Rebekah speak of making savory meat (Genesis 27:4, 7, 9). Lot's daughters plan to make their father drink wine (Genesis 19:32, 34). These acts show human initiative, sometimes righteous, sometimes flawed. Covenant making bridges divine and human spheres. God makes a covenant with Noah and every living creature (Genesis 9:12), and with Abraham (Genesis 17:2). Humans also make covenants with each other, as when Isaac and Abimelech make a covenant (Genesis 26:28) and Laban and Jacob do the same (Genesis 31:44). The verb thus carries both creative and relational connotations, reflecting the biblical narrative's interplay between God's actions and human responses.

Did You Know?

• God's first use of 'make' is to create humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26).
• The only clothing God makes in these passages is coats of skins for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).
• The tower of Babel builders use brick and slime (bitumen) to make their city and tower (Genesis 11:3).