I look at how the word ezer is used in the Hebrew Bible, including how it is used in people’s names in the Bible. And I show that being an ezer is not an especially feminine role or obligation.
The role of the Holy Spirit as helper (given in John’s Gospel) does not inform our understanding of Eve as helper/ ezer (in Genesis 2), and vice versa. Here’s why.
The stance of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to mutual submission in marriage is much more egalitarian than the stance of many evangelicals.
Does helping someone require that you subordinate yourself to that person? Three men whose essays I’ve read recently answer this question with “yes”.
What did Eve do to help Adam? Here are two very different views from three top scholars about Eve’s role as helper in Genesis 2.
Here’s a paper I presented back in 2015 and which is included in the book “The Gender Conversation.”
Does “a suitable helper for him” (ezer kenegdo) in Genesis 2:18-20 speak about a defining gender role for women? Are all women “helpers” of men?
This brief post looks at the telling way the Hebrew word kenegdo—used in the context of the creation of Eve in Genesis 2:18 & 20—is translated in a respected Afrikaans version of the Bible.
What does the Hebrew word “kenegdo” mean in Gen. 2:18 & 20? Was the woman made to be subordinate, suitable, or similar to the man?
How does the Septuagint translate “a helper suitable/ meet for him” in Genesis 2:18 and 20? In particular, what is the Greek word translated as “helper” here?
Many people have had a narrow and lowly view of the meaning of “helper” (ezer) used for Eve in Genesis 2:18 & 20. How is ezer used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible?
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© 2022 Marg Mowczko