The Devine Role of a Woman as a Help Meet (Helper)

Since time immemorial women have been perceived to be created for the sake of helping a man. 

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18, KJV). 

 I think this term ‘help meet’ has frequently been understood.  In many parts of the world women are seen as helpers at home; keeping the house clean, bearing and taking care of children, cooking for the husband, and washing clothes among others. As I was growing up I studied this verse more often and searched throughout the bible and I didn’t find a verse where women were specifically assigned  ‘the kitchen’.  So who came up with the idea that women’s place is in the kitchen? In all other areas of a man’s life is the kitchen the only place he needs help? Doesn’t he have other areas he needs to be assisted or supported?

The term ‘help meet’ can be interpreted to mean Eve was given to Adam as a helper worthy of him. Of all the creatures of the earth God created there was none ‘worthy of him’ or ‘appropriate for him’. The original meaning of the term ‘help meet’ is very powerful and more profound. It helps us understand what God meant to say to Adam and the role of Eve and of women in all earth in a much different light. “ezer" and 'k’enegdo" are two Hebrew words that form ‘help meet’.  The translation of “Ezer” is ‘help’. “Ezer” means ‘to save’, ‘to rescue’ or ‘to be strong’.  In the Hebrew bible ‘ezer’ occurs 21 times with 8 instances associated with ‘Savior’. ‘ezer’ is frequently used to describe how God is an ecer to man. For example 1 Samuel 7:12 ‘ebenezer’ describes God’s power of deliverance. ‘Eben’ meaning rock and ‘ezer’ meaning ‘salvation’ or ‘help’.

"k’enegdo" on the other hand means ‘fit for’ or ‘meet for’. Eve was not created to be exactly like Adam, but to be his opposite, having qualities, attributes, and responsibilities which he didn’t have. Their sexual organs were physically opposite (Adam’s being external and Eve’s being internal). Their divined stewardship were also designed to be opposite but perfectly fit together to create life.

The saving power of Eve as her role is equal but opposite to the saving power of Adam. Men are assisted and helped by women in their stewardship, and yet women having been give a unique stewardship. Women help men by giving them life and nurturing them towards the light of Christ. They conceive and bear mortal bodies making it possible for the children of God to start their mortal journey in this world. There would be no gateway into this world if there were no women and there would be no exaltation or progress opportunity. They demonstrate their true charity meaning by sacrificing themselves to bring children to this world. Immediately a child is born it is given unconditional love by the mother which is a powerful gift. That love will remind a child of God’s love and point him or her towards Christ. Regardless of her ability to give birth each woman is a savior to mankind when she has love towards men and an nurtures child closer to Christ.

It was through a woman, Mary, that Jesus Christ came to overcome bonds of sin and death and atoned for transgression of Adam. May be without a woman to bear the body of Christ the loss of mankind would have been lost forever and the work and purpose of Adam would have been meaningless. Adam may not have been given life physically by Even but she saved him from spiritual death by being an opening through which the Redeemer and Savior came into the world. Salvation, in the form of Christ, literally came to the earth through a woman.

Both men and women need to realize that God has blessed them with different stewardship’s, abilities, and gifts and should work together as partners to ensure success for each other. Men and women need one another and God works can only move forth if they both are united body, soul and mind. Without each other and without Christ we are nothing.

 Related article: In What Way Should I Be My Husband's Helper?