gengwall

ezer neged

I don’t mind the NASB – “helper suitable”, although the use of “suitable” might make one think of a suitable servant or something of the sort. It also doesn’t exactly capture the idea of neged. The New KJV comes closer yet, with “helper comparable”. scripture4all.org’s literal translation is “helper as in front of him”. With that literal definition (neged is often translated “opposite” or “before”, i.e. in front of), I like “corresponding” as a closer translation of neged. That would render it “helper corresponding to him” or “corresponding helper”.

Some others that aren’t bad.
NLT – “a companion who will help him”
Young’s – “to him an helper — as his counterpart”
Darby – “a helpmate, his like”
CEV – “suitable partner”

That last uses the questionable “suitable” but also introduces a stronger word for ezer. In this verse, ezer potentially needs some power behind it since “helper” tends to bring to mind subservience. (It of course couldn’t be viewed that way if someone studies the use of ezer throughout the scriptures, but I am assuming that a student is looking at Genesis 2:18 as a standalone) “Partner”, I think, still carries the spirit of ezer but entirely eliminates the thought of hierarchy.

Therefore, my preferred translation of ezer neged is “corresponding partner” or “partner corresponding to him”. That is a bit clinical, I confess, but for me it captures the truth of what Eve was created to be. Most of all, in my mind, it conveys the essence and fullness of God’s creative work in humanity. Man and woman are equal; “partner” leaves no doubt about that. But “equal” does not mean “same”. “Corresponding” captures the idea of two unique but matching parts that, put together, make a perfect whole.