Eve as "Ezer"

Genesis 2:18–25

Eve as "*Ezer*"

Begin in silence…
Close your eyes and sit quietly for a few moments before beginning today’s session. Take some deep breaths, open your hands as a posture of receptiveness before the Lord.

Set the scene…
For today’s scripture reading, we are going back to the very beginning, the Garden of Eden, to study the role of Eve as set out in Genesis 2. Imagine a perfect garden, filled with wildlife, birds, and livestock, and teeming with fish and sea creatures. Picture it surrounded by the most luscious flowers, trees, and flowing waters. Think about your favorite animal and flower being there too.

Envision this heavenly place where God is present in the midst of it, taking walks, delighting in his creation. All is good. All is at peace. He forms his first human, Adam, from the dust of the earth and brings him life through his breath.

Pause for a moment. Cup your hands around your nose, breathe out and then slowly take a deep breath in. Notice the sound as breath enters your nostrils. Picture the God of the Universe giving that breath, imagine feeling the closeness of the Creator.

Today’s Practice: Lectio Divina

Read aloud or listen to Genesis 2:18–25. Picture the scenic garden in your mind as you hear these verses.

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Pause for a moment then reread Genesis 2:18:

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

In this verse, Eve’s role is helper or helpmate. However, the original word in Hebrew is “ezer,” which actually translates not just as helper but as “strong helper” or “mighty helper.”

Meditate
The word “ezer” appears 15 times in the Old Testament to describe help that comes from God. These verses give us insight into how Eve is an “ezer” to Adam.

Below are five of the fifteen scripture verses that use “ezer” in relation to God. The word help or helper is changed to “ezer.” Read each one out loud.

  • Psalm 33:20 NIV: “We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our “ezer” and our shield.”
  • Psalm 70:5 NIV: “But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my “ezer” and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.”
  • Psalm 115:9–11 NIV: “All you Israelites, trust in the LORD--he is their “ezer” and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the LORD--he is their “ezer” and shield. You who fear him, trust in the LORD--he is their “ezer” and shield.”
  • Psalm 146:5 NIV: “Blessed are those whose “ezer” is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.”
  • Deuteronomy 33:29 NIV: “Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and “ezer” and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.”

Pause and reflect: What stands out to you as you study these verses using the word “ezer” in exchange for the word help?

Respond
Read Genesis 2:18–25 aloud or listen to it again. This time, add the word “mighty” before each mention of the word helper.

Ask: How does this shift how you see Eve in relation to Adam?

Describing Eve’s relation to Adam as helper instead of the Hebrew “ezer” can cause confusion and even distort her role in the creation narrative. A literal use of the word “helper” can denote a lesser status or role. It is important to see both Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 as created equally in the image of God, created to rule in the garden together, as one flesh before the fall in Genesis 3.

So often we quickly move past chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis. We miss the beautiful narrative of God creating and communing with the very first humans. We do not know how many times Adam and Eve walk with their Creator in the garden before that dreadful day when they eat of the one forbidden tree. Perhaps we too can linger a little longer in the garden.

Contemplate
Sit in silence and examine if and how today’s reading challenged you. Repeat the following breath prayer a few times:

(Inhale) Almighty Creator
(Exhale) Be my ever–present “Ezer.”