Women Created as 'Helper'

A Foundation for Biblical Theology of Womanhood

Wendy Alsup, in her book, Is the Bible Good for Women?, writes, “If you know what God created in perfection, you will begin to recognize it when you see it in redemption.” As we consider a biblical theology of womanhood, we want to begin with God’s perfect design and allow this design to inform our lives today. In the first chapter of Genesis, we learn about how God created the world and all that is in it, and He created mankind in His image, male and female, to rule over this good creation. In chapter two, we get a closer look at God’s perfect design for men and women.

In this chapter, we learn that God created Adam first and placed him in the garden “to work and keep it” (Gen. 2:15) and gave him the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17). In verse 18, God says, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” At first glance, this verse can make it seem as though the first woman was an afterthought, and we might associate the word “helper” with a lesser role or position in the work that God has given to the man and woman as His image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-28). These assumptions could not be further from the truth.

Kathleen Nielson, in her book titled Women & God, addresses this question of the created order of the man and woman. She suggests that in God’s choosing to create woman later in the story, “God was revealing both the man’s great need and God’s great gift to meet that need.” In this good creation that God has made, it is “not good” for man to be alone, so God provided the woman, and designed her to be a complement to the man and complete what is lacking in the man alone.

Understanding the term “ezer”

The word ezer is a Hebrew word that means help or aid. Other uses of the word also include ‘to rescue’ or ‘to save and be strong’. It is first used to describe women in the Bible, but more commonly this term is used to describe God as He helps his people (Ex. 18:4; Deut. 33:29; Ps. 70:5; 121:1-2; 124:8; 146:5). When we look at Scripture we see over and over God is our helper. Alsup writes, “ When we understand God’s role as ezer, we gain needed perspective. God, sovereign Lord of the universe, is our helper, and He created woman to reflect this aspect of Him…God our help gives a high and worthy example for women to embrace.” Our role as helper reflects how we are made in the image and likeness of God. I encourage you to go back to our FAQ page to read more about the definition of ezer.

In Genesis 2 verses 18 and 20, the word ezer is used to describe Eve as a helper that is fit for the man. The word translated commonly as “fit for” or “suitable to” is neged. It can also be translated as “counterpart” and describes that which is corresponding to. In this first description of the woman, we can see this idea of men and women as co-laborers in the mission that God has given them. In the garden, God instructs man and woman to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) This necessarily involves the corresponding help of the woman. The help given by the first woman is necessary to accomplish the task that the Lord has given to mankind. We can recognize the equal value between man and woman and the task that God has given them to share while also recognizing the distinction of roles between man and woman from the very beginning. Adam is given a position of leadership or headship while Eve is meant to help him in the task. But it is Adam who “bears the responsibility of leading Eve in all that he has been given to know and do before she arrived on the scene.” The roles assigned to men and women are distinct, but both men and women are critical to fulfilling the mission of God.

Examples of Women as Helpers in the Bible

Throughout scripture, we see examples of women providing this necessary help in accomplishing the mission of God. In Joshua 2, Rahab hides the Israelite spies and helps them escape Jericho, knowing that the Lord will give them victory and they will conquer the city. She protects the spies from the threat of her own government. In Judges 4, Deborah urges Barak to do as God has commanded him and lead the people into battle. The Lord had promised to give the enemy over to his army, but Barak refuses to go without Deborah. She provides necessary help in accomplishing what the Lord has instructed of Barak. In the book of Esther, we read about Esther’s boldness in risking her life to approach the king to protect the Jews. Her willingness to go before the king on behalf of the Israelites saved her people from genocide.

In the New Testament, we see women who were a part of the larger group of Jesus’ disciples who supported Jesus’ ministry by giving of their own wealth (Luke 8). In the book of Acts, Priscilla, along with her husband Aquilla, helps teach Apollos (Acts 18). In his letters, Paul refers to several women who were co-workers, laboring alongside him in gospel ministry. In Philippians 4, Paul mentions Euodia and Syntyche “who have labored side by side with [him] in the gospel” (4:3). In Romans 16, he commends Phoebe, a servant of the church, to the believers in Rome. In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of the faith he has, which first dwelt in his mother and grandmother, Lois and Eunice, who faithfully taught Timothy the scriptures since he was an infant (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). These are some of the examples of women fulfilling this role of helper, given to the first woman in the garden. The help given by these women is critical in accomplishing the mission of God.

How does This Encourage Women Today?

God’s very good design from creation is still very good for us today. He has given women a role in His mission. Men and women together in the body of Christ are called to carry out the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). We are ambassadors for Christ, called to reflect Him to a lost and dying world. Women specifically are given this role of helper, to come alongside and give strong support. We should be eager to help our brothers as they humbly lead in the church and home. God has designed us uniquely to provide this help and support for what the man alone may lack.

This is not a lesser role, but an essential role that God has given us. In whatever situation we may find ourselves, we can ask the Lord to show us how we can be a helper, that He might be glorified and made known in our humble service.

Works Cited

Alsup, Wendy Horger. Is the Bible Good for Women? : Seeking Clarity and Confidence through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture. First ed. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah, 2017.

Nielson, Kathleen Buswell. Women & God : Hard Questions, Beautiful Truth. Denmark: Good Book Company, 2018.