genesis 2:18, ezer k’negdo, the comparable helper

Read Genesis 2:4-3:21 at Bible Gateway.

Hebrew paragraph divisions

Gen 2:4-3:15 {s} Disobedience to YHVH’s command is sin
Gen 3:16 {s} Consequence for the woman (painful toil)
Gen 3:17-21 {p} Consequence for the man (painful toil)

Strong theme

Gen 2:4-3:21 {s+s+p} Disobedience is sin, and carries the consequence of painful toil and death

Original Hebrew

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable for him.” Gen 2:18

I want to look at the story the ancient Hebrew pictographs are telling of “comparable helper.” It is how we will uncover the root meaning of that phrase and learn what God designed our role as wives to be.

helper: ezer, Strong’s H5828, from the primitive root azar, Strong’s H5826, ayin + zayin + resh. The ancient pictograph for ayjn is the eye, so to watch, know, shade. For zayin it is the mattock, so tool, food, cut, nourish. For resh it is the head of a man, so head, first, top, beginning, man.

The story being painted of the man’s helper is that she has sight, i.e., insight he doesn’t have, intended to be used as a tool by the man.

comparable for him: neged, Strong’s H5048, from the primitive root nagad, Strong’s H5046, nun + gimel + dalet. The ancient pictograph for nun is the seed, so continue, heir, son. For gimel it is the foot, so gather, walk. For dalet it is the door, so enter, move, hang.

The story being painted of one comparable, is of sons gathered at the door. In ancient Near Eastern society, the elder head of the father’s house sat in the door of his tent, where the children of the tribe (of all ages, adults included) would come to discuss events or problems, and receive wisdom or decisions from the head of the house. The same concept is present when all the elders of the various father’s houses sat in the gate, or door, of the city, to do the same (see Est 2:21).

So nagad conveys the idea of discussing together to arrive at insights or solutions. Thus we see how the woman conveys her sight to the man, when they discuss matters with each other. It is then up to the man, as the head, to value his wife’s sight as a gift, and utilize it as a tool to aid him in making decisions. The responsibility of the final decision remains with him, but a wise man will recognize insight he did not originally possess, shared with him in order to aid him, and weigh it accordingly.

Gesenius’ Hebrew Lexicon says that neged means to stand boldly opposite, with the meaning, “as over against.” Does this mean the wife is to be opposed to her husband? I don’t see it that way. Yeshua said that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mar 3:25). Rather, I think it means she is opposite him; they are two halves which together make a whole. Each one has qualities the other lacks. Thus God’s gift of his wife to the man, providing him insight he lacks, that he may then use as a tool to make the wisest decision possible.

Now, today’s strong theme provides a very important lesson for us wives. Eve shared her insight with Adam all right, in encouraging him to take the fruit of the tree and eat it; but the insight was devoid of wisdom! God even chastised Adam:

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’ …” Gen 3:17

For considering her insight and acting on it! God wants men to heed the voice of their wives – when their voice is in agreement and accordance with His own Word. But when their voice casts doubt or contradicts, then it is the responsibility of the husband to weigh her insight justly and do what is right, even if it means not heeding the voice of his wife.

So we see that we wives have a responsibility to always have our hearts and minds washed with the water of the Word, for it is when Eve entertained doubt in the Word of God that her insight became corrupted.

For further study on site

gen 2:4, the difference between gen 1 and gen 2
beware of deviations from the word of God
gen 2:4-3:21 strong theme: curse or consequences
Genesis index of studies

For further study off site

Gen 2:17 – “You shall surely die”
When Did Adam and Eve Rebel?
Athena and Eve
The serpent worshippers
The Principle of the Seed by Brad Scot