עֵ֫זֶר (e.zer)
e.zer
helper
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ezer denotes strong, effective assistance or deliverance. It appears seventeen times in the Old Testament, with a significant concentration in the Psalms and Genesis. Far from implying minor aid, this word carries the weight of crucial support that prevents failure or disaster.
A key distinction lies in its usage for God. In Psalm 121:1-2, the psalmist declares that his help comes from Yahweh, using this specific term. This establishes ezer as a primary descriptor for divine intervention. It is not passive comfort but active rescue.
The word also appears in Genesis 2:18 regarding the creation of woman. Here, she is described as an ezer kenegdo, a helper corresponding to or matching him. The term emphasizes strength and partnership rather than subordination. Translators often render it simply as "helper," but the underlying sense is one of vital support.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ezer points to strong, effective assistance that prevents failure. It is not a gentle suggestion but vital support. When Scripture uses this term for God, it describes active rescue rather than passive comfort. This truth offers stability when circumstances feel overwhelming.
In Genesis, the creation of woman as an ezer kenegdo emphasizes strength and partnership. She provides crucial support that matches the man’s needs. This definition reshapes how we view relationships, highlighting mutual reliance instead of hierarchy.
For your faith, this word reminds you that help is available from the Creator. Psalm 121 declares that help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. You can trust in a support system that is both powerful and reliable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] help/ their3×
- help/ my2×
- a helper2×
- in/ helper/ your1×
- help/ your1×
- help/ our1×
- help1×
- for/ help/ your1×
- for/ help1×
- and/ a help1×
- [is] help/ our1×
- [is] <in>/ help/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֶזְרָ֖/ם3×
- עֵ֖זֶר2×
- עֶזְרֶ֔/ךָ1×
- עֶזְרֵ֖/נוּ1×
- עֶזְרִֽ/י\׃1×
- עֶ֭זְרֵ/נוּ1×
- עֶ֭זְרִ/י1×
- עֵ֣זֶר1×
- לְ/עֵ֙זֶר֙1×
- וְ/עֵ֥זֶר1×
- בְּ/עֶזְרִ֔/י1×
- בְּ/עֶזְר֑/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 121:2
My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
This verse explicitly identifies Yahweh as the source of help, grounding the psalmist's trust in the Creator rather than human strength.
-
Genesis 2:18
Yahweh God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
The term ezer describes the woman as a crucial partner whose presence addresses the fundamental problem of isolation.
-
Exodus 18:4
The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.”
Moses uses this word to describe God’s past deliverance from Pharaoh, linking divine help to historical rescue.
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Psalms 33:20
Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.
The psalmist pairs this word with 'shield,' showing that help includes both active aid and protective defense.