“Helpmeet” . . . or, “Subordinate”

“It is not good that the man should be alone;

I will make him a helper as his partner.” Genesis 2:18

The usage of WORDS is as old as the world itself! However, proper usage and understanding of words goes to another level altogether. While words depict, define, instruct, explain, clarify, signify, describe, characterize, and create . . . they are often used loosely, misused, but especially are misunderstood. The greatest orators and etymologists on earth agree that words are influential at best.

One of my favorite pleasures is not only studying outstanding women of faith in the Bible but diving deeper into the study of the origin and meaning of God’s words . . . and, for that, we are introduced to Miss Etymology. Even though she has a refined name, within her so called “archeological” study lies a richness of wisdom and a quiet strength which increases our understanding of God’s heart and intentions; if we dig for it (pardon the pun), culturally and universally, we all benefit.

A host of blogs, podcasts, and public opinion currently exist discussing or asking what a woman is, as well as her role and/or position in relationship to her husband. Sadly, some of these venues twist and distort God’s heart on the matter. Men and women alike have had serious and heated exchanges especially concerning the word helpmeet, or helper, as God’s intended role for a wife in Genesis 2:18.

In basic English vernacular, helpmeet used in Genesis 2:18 simply means equal counterpart (equal partner), which will be further discussed from an etymological view; in the meantime, helpmeet does not mean a subordinate, an employee, a servant, or a slave, nor is helpmeet a weak, inferior, or demeaning term.  The Lord God Himself took a rib from Adam, whom He first created from the dust of the ground, and then fashioned Eve from Adam’s prime filet . . . banah . . . etymologically speaking, banah means a creation of a beautiful work of art, but appealingly sensitive or complex in nature.

Men . . . say AMEN!

Women . . . shout HALLELUJA!

God created man and woman in His image equally, although they bear His image in a uniquely different way. Headship is protocol since Adam was created first . . . the essence of Eve’s role is functionally different. One is not more valuable than the other . . . not less than, nor superior . . . they are counterparts to each other. Theoretically, each was lacking something the other had . . . but, joined together they are perfectly complemented, reflecting Him, who created them intrinsically. He did not intend them to live in a relational vacuum. I love what someone once said, “God took a part of Himself and placed that piece of Himself into Eve.”

Let’s unpack the word helpmeet!  The Hebrew term ezer kenegdo properly defined frees many women from marriage expectations that often are more cultural than biblical. Kenegdo means opposite or alongside. Strong’s Concordance explains that Ezer means to be strong, to rescue, or to save. In fact, Ezer is a term of strength used twenty-one times in the Old Testament (over sixty-six times in scripture) to describe God; the first two times being in Genesis 2:18 and 2:20. When men and women finally get it by fully understanding God’s intended roles, each can lean into their own identity and uniqueness rather than shrinking from, resisting, boasting, or rebelling.

Summing it up, Eve was Adam’s helper just as God is our Helper. All manner of warfare and victory images are used when Ezer is used throughout the Old Testament scriptures . . . a woman is to be strong for and with her husband and her husband needs to feel safe, secure, and respected as her position by his side implies . . . she is a warrior on the front lines with him . . . not in second place.

Women of God, more than ever, choose to be a WARRIOR . . . for your husband . . . for your marriage . . . for your mutual love . . . for your children . . .for your prayers . . . and, best of all, choose to experience His pleasure.

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