ezer kenegdo

[Nofear]

Interested in thoughts about this Hebrew descriptor of Eve. Often translated as "help meet" or "helper", that seems to be more the ezer part and ignores the kenegdo more. Anyway, I'm not linguistically qualified to give a suitable opinion so insight from more competent individuals would be appreciated. And if others (who, like me, aren't linguistically competent in Hebrew) want to comment on the consequence or exigesis of the term/translation, that's welcome too.

[bluebell]

2 hours ago, Nofear said:

Interested in thoughts about this Hebrew descriptor of Eve. Often translated as "help meet" or "helper", that seems to be more the ezer part and ignores the kenegdo more. Anyway, I'm not linguistically qualified to give a suitable opinion so insight from more competent individuals would be appreciated. And if others (who, like me, aren't linguistically competent in Hebrew) want to comment on the consequence or exigesis of the term/translation, that's welcome too.

This phrase is brought up in Beverly Campbell's book "Eve and the Choice made in Eden" which was published a couple of decades ago and sold at Deseret Book.  In the book she states:

Quote

 

"According to biblical scholar David Freedman, the Hebrew word translated into English as "help" in Genesis 2:18 is ezer.  This word is a combination of two roots, one meaning "to rescue, to save" and the other meaning "to be strong", but in time, said Freedman, ezer 'was always interpreted as 'to help,' a mixture of both nuances.  Ezer appears 21 times in the Old Testament.  In contrast, k'enegdo, another Hebrew word use in Genesis 2:18 to describe Eve appears only once.  Freedman pointed out that in late rabbinical commentaries k'enegdo means "equal" and stated that in his view "there is no basis for translated k'enegdo as 'fit or 'appropriate,' as the traditional translators do when they describe the woman as a 'fit helper'". 

Freedman concluded, "When God creates Eve....His intent is that she will be--unlike the animals--'a power (or strength) equal to Adam'."

 

 

[Stargazer]

Here's an interesting take:

 

[Dario_M]

On 8/5/2024 at 10:52 PM, Nofear said:

Interested in thoughts about this Hebrew descriptor of Eve. Often translated as "help meet" or "helper", that seems to be more the ezer part and ignores the kenegdo more. Anyway, I'm not linguistically qualified to give a suitable opinion so insight from more competent individuals would be appreciated. And if others (who, like me, aren't linguistically competent in Hebrew) want to comment on the consequence or exigesis of the term/translation, that's welcome too.

I didn't know that we also use Hebrew phrases in our church. Interesting

Edited August 12, 2024 by Dario_M

[Nofear]

8 hours ago, Dario_M said:

I didn't know that we also use Hebrew phrases in our church. Interesting

8th Article of Faith + Old Testament = Knowledge of Hebrew can be important