Double Preposition-alism

And said YHWH Elohim, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make for him a helper corresponding to him.” Genesis 2:18

Corresponding To Him – When Scripture uses an odd combination of words to describe something as important as Woman, we had better pay attention. And nothing is stranger than the way that the Torah describes the creation of Woman. She is called a helper-kenegdo. We know the first word, ‘ezer (helper). It absolutely does not mean assistant. It comes from a context of military aid, strength and rescue. In some sense, so far unidentified, a woman “saves” a man (but most men already know this, even if they can’t admit it). That, however, is just the beginning of the game.

The Hebrew text doesn’t use the word ‘ezer alone. The full concept is the ‘ezer kenegdo. Unfortunately, the addition of the word kenegdo only increases its opacity. That’s because kenegdo occurs only once in Scripture, right here. The root word behind this odd combination is neged. However, this is not a noun, a verb or an adjective. It is a preposition. That is very odd indeed. It’s kind of like saying that Havvah is a “helper before” or a “helper in front of”. The meaning of the preposition alone (neged) is determined by the context. It covers the range of before, in front of, corresponding to, against and opposite. Even more disturbing is the fact that here the preposition neged has been coupled with ki, another preposition that usually means “like” or “as.” Commentators have struggled with this combination. Clearly the words are critically important for understanding what God intends in His creation of Woman; but many scholars of the Christian tradition tend to either gloss over or ignore the second word.

The rabbinic commentary places more emphasis on the importance of the combination. Rashi suggests that the two-preposition conjunction means that the ‘ezer is both one who helps and one who opposes. Her role is indeterminate. It depends entirely on the context of the covenant relationship with her husband. If he is blessed and righteous, she is a helper. If he is not blessed and wicked, she is one who opposes. In other words, she is the perfect enemy. She is perfectly suited to act as the intimate guide for a man to stay connected to the Lord. And she is the perfectly opposed one when her man is tempted to have his own way. As ‘ezer kenedgo, she is both advocate and chastiser. She is ontologically equipped to “know” him since she came from him and she is designed to complete him. She carries the most powerful weapons men have ever known and has the ability to draw him to her in ways that nothing else can. When she is truly ‘ezer kenegdo, she protects her man as no other. But this glorious responsibility and awesome power comes with a terrifying risk. Understanding that risk waits for another day. In the meanwhile, we can begin to honor the special role that God designed into every woman.

Topical Index: ‘ezer kenegdo, perfect enemy, helper, opposite, Genesis 2:18