Three ways to define a "Man"
First, note that in vs. 26 the word for “man” is literally adam (אָדָ֛ם) – pronounced adam. However, later in the same verse God speaks of letting “them” (not only him) to have dominion over the creatures of the earth. Therefore, “man” (adam) here is mankind (and not Adam). In the very end of vs. 27 this idea is reinforced – “male and female He created them”. Second, the word “image” (צֶ֥לֶם) – pronounced tselem, has the same root like a shadow (צֵל) – pronounced tsel. Just as a shadow looks similar to a subject from which it is cast, human beings resemble God. This idea is repeated by use of the phrase “into his likeness” (כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ) – pronounced kidmutenu. Third, the word “man” (אָדָ֛ם) is connected with the word ground (אֲדָמָה ) – pronounced adamah, which in turn is connected with the word (אָדוֹם) – pronounced adom, which means “red.”
