What word comes to mind when you think of the word “help”? Do you think of a housekeeper who mops the floors? Or a medical assistant who supports a doctor? Or a secretary who manages a businessman’s appointments? Or of a toddler wanting to work in the kitchen as “mommy’s little helper”?
The Term “Helper” Then and Now
In the English language, the word “helper” can often convey an idea of subservience. But let’s consider its use in Genesis 2 in context. The first chapter provides an overview of God’s work of creation. Human beings, women as well as men, are created in the image of God. Women and men receive the mandate to be fruitful and subdue the earth. Together. For the glory of God. The text does not say, “Woman, be fruitful. Man, subdue the earth.” God considers her the perfect complement to the man. She’s essential for them to carry out this mandate together.
The First Thing that is Not Good
Genesis 2 is a retelling of the creation account, but with a focus on the creation of humanity. In this chapter, we read that everything God creates is good, except one: man’s solitude. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper like him.” (Gen. 2:18).
Note that the LORD gives him a helper like him. So, while many believe that this passage highlights the differences between the man and the woman, what defines the man and the woman is what they share in common: They are both image-bearers, distinct from the animals and the rest of creation. They are both of the same substance, destined to become one flesh. And they are both naked and unashamed.
Genesis 2:23 indicates that Adam seems to find his identity because of the woman. She alone can reflect his humanness back to him and remedy his loneliness. None of the animals could do this. This first woman for whom the first man breaks out into song is nothing less than God’s gift to him. A co-regent, a co-combatant, a partner like him, for him, and from him: the perfect union of two equals.
Beyond Marriage, Motherhood, and Domesticity
I affirm male headship in the Church and home. I also believe that God designed elder rule in the Church and male leadership in the home to be a partnership in which women’s contributions are essential to carry out God’s mission in the world. Sadly, however, Genesis 2:18 lies at the heart of a great deal of misunderstanding in the Church. In many circles, the term “helper” represents a woman exclusively as wife, mother, and homemaker. By this standard, a woman lives out her ultimate calling through marriage, motherhood, and domesticity. A recent Barna study on Christian women in North America shows how prevalent this mindset is. When asked what their most important role in life was, 62% of Christian women answered that it was that of mother/parent. Only 13% answered “Follower of Christ.”
I love being a wife and mother! It’s awesome! I love reading books to my girls – my favourites are missionary biographies. I enjoy crafting, playing board games, cooking, and baking with them, too. I love creating new recipes for my family to enjoy – my mopping skills, however, could use some improvement. 🙂 I am thankful that I was able to stay at home when my daughters were little. Those were precious days nurturing my children. But these roles don’t define me as a human being any more than being a husband and father defines my husband. We both share this in common: We are first and foremost image bearers, disciples, ambassadors of reconciliation, and sinners saved by grace.
Our Eternal Identity: In Union with Christ
My union with Christ is at the very heart of who I am. I was chosen in him, have died with him, and have been raised with him (Ga 2:20, Ro 6:3-4, Co 3:1, Ep 1:4). This reality defines my identity more deeply and permanently than any earthly role. It was determined before the foundation of the world and will endure for all eternity. This is true for every believer—man or woman—regardless of marital status or whether they are a parent.
Speaking personally, I spent over half of my life single and childless. During those years, was I any less a woman, any less capable of living fully according to God’s design? I don’t believe so. In fact, that season was marked by rich spiritual growth and meaningful service.
While marriage and motherhood are beautiful and important callings, they are not the essence of womanhood. They are, by nature, temporary. A tragic accident or unexpected diagnosis could take them away. If we define ourselves solely by these roles, we risk building our identity on something fragile.
Moreover, such a narrow definition can unintentionally exclude women who never marry or have children. These sisters, too, are fully made in the image of God. They are essential to the church and to God’s mission, exercising their spiritual gifts for the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. Let’s also remember that Jesus, the perfect human, never married and had no physical descendants. And yet, who would dare say he was anything less than fully and gloriously human?
Ezer Throughout the Old Testament
Going back to Genesis, a closer examination of the term “helper” in the original language paints a different picture than one of subservience. For while in English, a person who helps is often subject to the person helped, in Hebrew thought, that is far from the case.
The Hebrew word translated “help” in Genesis is ezer. This term usually designates divine help, especially in the Psalms, where it encompasses both material and spiritual assistance. In fact, in the Old Testament, the term ezer in its noun form appears 21 times. Of those, two refer to the woman (Ge 2:18, 20) and three refer to nations which Israel beseeches for military aid (Isa 20:5, Ez 12:14, Da 11:34).
The other 16 times, it refers to the LORD God himself. A survey of these texts demonstrates that ezer is most often used in a military context: The LORD is his people’s deliverer, their sword and shield. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. He is better than chariots and horses. He keeps guard over his people and overthrows their enemies with his strong arm. In its verbal form, ezer occurs 80 times, where it is most common in the Psalms (16×), Isaiah (16×), 2 Chronicles (12×), and 1 Chronicles (10×). Most often, the idea conveyed is of divine military assistance to the nation of Israel. What a help we have in the LORD!
Women Honoured as Ezers
The biblical imagery of help, far from placing women in a position of subservience, conveys strength and dignity. Genesis 1–2 paints the picture of a king whom the Creator blesses with a queen, not to serve him in silence, but to stand beside him as a strong and wise ally in ruling over creation. Many today assume that the Bible diminishes women. And sadly, some interpretations and applications of Scripture have contributed to that belief. But when we return to the text and read it in its original context, we discover something quite different. In contrast to the literature of its time, the Bible offers a strikingly affirming and dignifying vision of womanhood. If the LORD is the ezer of his people, then when we bear that same title, far from diminishing us, God dignifies us with a calling that echoes his own.
