Part 1 - The Woman in the Bible

Eve

Studies on their role, meaning and dignity

A helper

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.”

(Genesis 2:18-20)

Here the Bible speaks about a woman for the first time. A little helper? Is that the role of the woman?

If that were so, this study would already be finished.

It is important to read carefully. It does not say “little helper”, it says: “... a helper comparable to him”.

The meaning of the word “ezer”

The word “ezer”, which is used here in Hebrew, literally means: help, helper, savior or supporting strength.

God Himself is also called our “ezer”, our help, in the Bible.

“Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.”

(Psalm 33:20)

Equality in creation

“Comparable to him” can also be translated as “corresponding to him”. This points to equality and/or a counterpart. The word used here in Hebrew is also often used to describe God as help and savior. Just as people are connected to God, Adam is connected to Eve. In the Bible, believers are also seen as the bride waiting for her bridegroom.