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Word Study
HELP
Strong's # 5828 (Hebrew = ezer) aid: -- help
Strong's Root = # 5826 (Hebrew = azar) azar = prime root: to surround, ie,
protect or aid: help, succour
Gesenius adds that the primary idea lies in girding, surrounding, hence
defending
MEET
(Hebrew = kenegdo) corresponding to, counterpart to, equal to matching
The traditional teaching for the woman as help (meet) is that of assistant or
helper subservient to the one being helped. This definition would appear to line
up with Strong's definition of the word. However, if you look at the context of
every other use of the word ezer in the scripture, you will see that ezer refers
to either God or military allies. In all other cases the one giving the help is
superior to the one receiving the help. Adding kenegdo (meet) modifies the
meaning to that of equal rather than superior status. Scripture is so awesome.
God says just what He means.
Dr. Susan Hyatt gives the following definition from her book
In the Spirit We're
Equal "Re: Hebrew ezer kenegdo. In Genesis 2:18, the word "helpmeet" does not
occur. The Hebrew expression ezer kenegdo appears, meaning "one who is the same
as the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports." There is no
indication of inferiority or of a secondary position in an hierarchical
separation of the male and female "spheres" of responsibility, authority, or
social position.
The word ezer is used twice in the Old Testament to refer to the female and 14
times to refer to God. For example, in the Psalms when David says, "The Lord is
my Helper," he uses the word ezer."
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