GOD’S HIDDEN TRIBUTE TO MOTHER EVE:
THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE WOMANHOOD
Originally posted April 30 2018 by Dustin Phelps at happiness-seekers.com
It deeply pains me that over the course of history, some people have insisted not only that women are inferior to men, but that God agrees.
I have been disheartened to learn how many women feel conflicted about their place in God’s plan and whether He really sees His daughters as being equal to His sons.
So today I want to share the most powerful evidence I have ever come across that God—despite the cultural views of some of His children—has always held a grander view of womanhood than any of us could conceive on our own.
This article deals with one of the most widely known scriptures about Mother Eve. The verse in question has been used by some as an excuse to marginalize women, but, as you will see, it actually contains an extraordinary tribute to Eve and all women.
This discovery has fundamentally deepened my respect for womanhood and led me to believe that we are only beginning to understand the breathtaking vision God has for the role of women in the Church and in Society.
However, before I dive in, I have to explain something.
This discovery will be much more fascinating with some essential context. So, I’m asking you to trust me. People who read my articles know that I occasionally ask readers to 1) read more carefully than normal and 2) read until the end.
This is such an article.
Let’s get started.
When Brittney was pregnant with our first child—per the norm—everyone would always ask what we were going to name him. When they learned that our son’s middle name was going to be Ebenezer, we’d get all sorts of surprised looks.
“You mean like Ebenezer Scrooge?!” They couldn’t believe it. Some friends and family members would joke about how they were going to call him “Scrooge” when he got older.
But the truth is that we didn’t choose the name Ebenezer on a whim nor out of a fascination with the literary accomplishments of Charles Dickens.
As it turns out, Eben-Ezer, a Hebrew term from the Bible, has special spiritual significance.
There was a time recorded in the Old Testament when an enormous Philistine army was invading Israel. The force that stood against Israel was completely overwhelming. Things got so bad that the people realized that they were doomed to destruction if the Lord did not intervene.
Realizing this, the people went to the Prophet Samuel and begged him to plead with the Lord to spare their lives. Samuel did so and the Lord intervened.
With the Lord’s help, the outnumbered Israelite soldiers were miraculously able to defeat the Philistine armies.
On the battlefield, while the victory was still fresh in the minds of the people, Samuel erected a monument and called it “Eben-Ezer” (which means “Stone of Help”). And then he declared the significance of the monument:
“Hitherto has the Lord helped us.”
You see, Samuel was concerned that the people would forget how they had won. He was worried that they might take credit for the victory. The Prophet wanted the people to never forget that they had only defeated their enemies because of the Lord’s help. And if they were to hope for His blessings and protection in the future, they needed to continue relying on Him.
Incidentally, if you’ve ever heard the beloved hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, you may have wondered what the author meant when he wrote: ”Here I raise my Ebenezer. Hither by Thy help I’m come.”
Well, now you know.
[Video: “Come Thou Fount (I Will Sing)” by Chris Tomlin]
Anyway, with all that in mind, we can now approach the discovery.
About a year ago I was asked to speak at a relief society function. The topic was “The Divine Role of Womanhood.” As a man, I felt pretty unqualified and uncomfortable speaking on such a grand topic…especially to a group of women.
I was humbled and a little mortified at the task that lay before me.
As I prepared my remarks, I reflected on Mother Eve, the progenitor of all women.
A couple of years previous, I had written an article about ways in which centuries of cultural misunderstanding have distorted the message of Genesis 2:18 which reads:
“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; [so] I will make him an help meet for him.”
As I reflected on the article I had previously written and then pondered further the words of Genesis 2:18, I decided to see if the Hebrew from which the words were translated could provide any additional insight.
I was specifically interested in the Hebrew word that had been translated into “meet” because it has complex meaning and is pivotal to the verse.
But as I turned to the original Hebrew rendition, something else in the verse caught my eye:
“Ezer”
I noticed that when God says that Eve will be a “help” to Adam, the original Hebrew usage translated into “help” is…”Ezer”.
Wait? Ezer…as in Eben-Ezer? It was the same word.
If it weren’t for the significance of Eben-Ezer, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it. But I was suddenly intrigued.
I looked up the definition and etymology of the word and learned that some scholars trace the Hebrew word “Ezer” to a combination of two source words, one which means strength and another which refers to rescuing, saving, and defending (source).
I searched “Ezer” in the Hebrew text and found that it is used two dozen times in the Old Testament.
Remarkably, “Ezer” is always used in a military context (except when referring to Eve) and almost every time it is used to describe God as the Divine Helper and Protector of Israel.
It is this same word that is used to describe Eve.
Many women have written to me and expressed how they have always felt marginalized by this verse; it makes them feel as if God’s vision of woman was that of some second-class “helper”.
But here was the ultimate evidence that society had projected their own ignorance onto the verse.
Eve is described with a word that everywhere else in the Old Testament is only used for virtually two purposes 1) to describe God when he is coming to stand with Israel against its enemies or 2) when other nations come to march with the soldiers of Israel as they face their foes (list of “ezer” usages found here).
So, “Ezer”, the word used to describe Mother Eve as a “help” to Adam, has nothing to do with the role of an inferior or domestic servant.
The word that is used to describe the Creator of the Universe as a savior, source of strength, and “the Helper of Israel” cannot have a demeaning implication. God blesses His people, He loves and cares for His people, and He stands with His people…but He is not subservient to them.
In the Old Testament, the Lord is described as an “Ezer” when Israel is too weak to face its enemies alone. Other nations are described as an “Ezer” to Israel, when Israel’s strength is insufficient to defeat its enemies.
And so it is with Eve. Eve is referred to as an “Ezer” when God sees that Adam cannot do it alone. Eve is referred to as an “ezer” because she was Adam’s first ally and friend, his partner in doing battle with evil and bringing about the purposes of God upon the Earth.
So, the very verse that has been used to marginalize women, was really God’s own tribute to His daughters.
It is high time that we reclaimed and embraced God’s vision of women.
Exciting things are on the horizon. Women in every quarter of the world are rising up and the women of the Church must rise to lead and influence them.
[Video: “Stand In The Rain” by Superchick, featuring Eowyn from Lord of The Rings]
So, the next time you read Genesis 2:18 and you are tempted to imagine a submissive housekeeper, instead think of a warrior with a drawn sword. Think of a change maker. Think of a leader. Think of an aunt, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a mother, a wife, a young women’s leader, or Sunday school teacher.
Your influence has changed me; it has changed the people around you. Thank you for being an “ezer”. Thank you for your service, for your voice, for your leadership, for your courage, and for your sacrifices.
We cannot do this without you.
[Video: “Guardian” by Alannis Morissette]
Note: This essay may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This presentation is making such material available in an effort to advance understanding of religious issues. This essay presentation is a Creative Commons work – available for free in the public domain – of criticism, commentary, research and nonprofit education and thus constitutes a ‘Fair Use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided in the United States Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107.
18 comments
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November 28, 2019 at 8:51 am
Christy Thomson
I love what you have said here, but still there is something missing. You are moving the right direction, though. Thank you for that! This is the problem…as long as Eve is seen as a helper for Adam, even with the admission that he would not be able to do it on his own..(since when can men populate on their own?)..we are still very male-centric. Eve needs a helper.. she cannot do it on her own either. Whether you are talking about real people, which I assume you are, or are talking about archetypal forms, which is more realistic, we need to remove ourselves from the androcentric talk. It is not helpful and still keeps women in their helper role. We are nurturing, loving, caring, and that often continues to keep us smaller than the leaders we are meant to be. I wonder how this would sound, written by your wife. I do sincerely thank you for your introspection and writing!
September 9, 2020 at 1:06 pm
oilstories
Thank you for the comment, Christy, but I merely reposted the writings of another blogger, who I also assume is male. I’m female and my only contribution was weaving in pictures I found on the internet and hanging this work up on the wall of my own blog.
November 28, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Jearold Yack
I cannot imagine, with what I know about the females of import in my life, that there could have ever been any doubt as to their place in life. They could not possibly be considered anything less and indeed, most certainly, superior in most ways.
September 9, 2020 at 1:04 pm
oilstories
Thank you for your comment, Jearold. Interesting that you would say “superior”, lol. I was shocked when I ran across a quotes by the LDS prophet seer and revelator, Elder James E. Faust, describing women as superior to men and affirming that men are not superior to women.
“How infinitely more productive and satisfying it is for a woman to build up her husband rather than tear him down. You women are so superior to men in so many ways that you demean yourselves by posturing or belittling masculinity and manhood.” – October 1973 General Conference
“Holding the priesthood does not mean that a man is a power-broker, or that he sits on a throne, dictating in macho terms, or that he is superior in any way. Rather, he is a leader by authority of example… Nowhere does the doctrine of this Church declare that men are superior to women. Paul said to the Corinthians, “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” 1 Cor. 11:11 Each brings his or her own separate and unique strengths to the family and the Church.” – April 1988 General Conference
November 28, 2019 at 3:45 pm
Dennis King
Women are a helper to man….the Holy Ghost is a Helper, what could be a better compliment?
Women just don’t understand the special place they were given and want what they think is a ‘better’ position…
Can’t be treated like a lady and be respected as a man at the same time.
November 30, 2019 at 11:20 am
Doug Allan
What a wonderful article. Thank you!
September 9, 2020 at 12:57 pm
oilstories
You’re welcome. I appreciate your comment. I am not the original author, but felt that adding some illustration to the beautiful writing would help to convey the point he was trying to make.
September 9, 2020 at 1:07 pm
oilstories
You’re welcome, Doug! Thank you!
November 30, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Al Wild
Very interesting. I would appreciate separate confirmation of this translation.
September 9, 2020 at 12:57 pm
oilstories
There are various Hebrew Bible sources available online. In my studies, I’ve appreciated the resources available at biblehub.com .
December 1, 2019 at 5:30 pm
yolandanohr
Beautiful. Thank you.
September 9, 2020 at 12:55 pm
oilstories
You’re welome, Yolanda. I’m glad that you found my version of this article helpful.
December 1, 2019 at 9:36 pm
pathofgrayhame
I find it odd that you’re bypassing the rest of the Bible over a word that at it’s root means “helper”, which is exactly what we believe about that passage regarding Eve’s role anyway. Let’s analyze this article, since it is participating in a destructive agenda that is removing the rightful place of husbands and fathers from Mormon families.
1. Israel was not a covenant people during Eve’s life, so using “ezer” as a parallel to a warrior of Israel doesn’t really work. Clearly, “ezer” means she’s a helper of her husband, not of Israel’s military.
2. If any warrior was referred to as a Helper of Israel, it was because they were willing to give their life for Israel, or at the very least SERVE Israel. So if woman is called a Helper of Man, what is the logical conclusion?
3. There are scriptures that do indicate that women occupy a different position than men. This doesn’t indicate less value, but it clearly argues that women occupy a position of less ability than men do. 1 Peter 3:7 says women are a weaker vessel, or less capable vessel, depending on the translation.
4. Being lesser is not something that Jesus Christ frowns upon. In fact, he expects that the lesser people of the earth are the ones who will break down evil. Being a Servant is how to be a GREATER person in the kingdom of heaven. But that comes with humility. This article is written out of vainglory, or selfish motivation to aggrandize one’s self based on something you didn’t even choose: your gender.
5. Proverbs dedicates half a chapter to defining what a valuable woman looks like. It is tied to productivity, service, and humility. It is an illustration of a Godly woman, or a true “ezer”. The author of Proverbs says such women are jewels. Jewels are rare.
September 9, 2020 at 12:54 pm
oilstories
Hi there,
I didn’t write this article, but rather only reposted it with imagery that I found both helpful and inspiring. I invite you to take your issues to the original author, whose link I included near the top of this blog post.
December 7, 2019 at 2:01 pm
kreemer
Thank you!
September 9, 2020 at 12:46 pm
oilstories
You’re welcome!
January 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Leila Williams
It’s sad that people don’t even understand what English words mean, let alone Hebrew! There’s a reason it the Bible says “a help meet for him” instead of simple “helper.” Because it gives the idea of filling a need not a mere tool when someone just “needs a hand.”
This part of the article annoyed me. . . “So, the next time you read Genesis 2:18 and you are tempted to imagine a submissive housekeeper, instead think of a warrior with a drawn sword.” When did we start think of “submissive” as demeaning and “housekeeper” as worthless? When did someone with a drawn sword become more to be admired than someone whose hand rocks the cradle?
The Bible never says “inferior.” Women need to stop looking at themselves as worthless or what they do as unimportant. The Bible does say “weaker vessel,” yes. Physically weaker and owed protection.
There’s this idea that an “Ezer” must be equal in authority to her husband going around. The article doesn’t say as much but takes a jab at the idea of “submissive.” Someone can be an “Ezer” but still submit to her husband. It’s not mutually exclusive. Nor is being submissive in any way demeaning.
September 9, 2020 at 12:45 pm
oilstories
Thanks for your comment Leila. I can understand the angle that you are coming from in those parts of the article which annoyed and disturbed you. I’m glad you’ve been fortunate enough never to have your submission to male authority abused to such a point that you’ve lost your implicit trust in it.