Picture description: Eve
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“And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18 KJV)
“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.” (New English Translation)
“And the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.”(New Living Translation)
A helpmate is more aptly interpreted as someone valuable and indispensible.
The word “helpmate” is probably derived from the above biblical verse. Eve was created to be Adam’s helpful companion because God found that Adam was alone. Some English Bible versions translated the Hebrew word עֵזֶר (’ezer) as “helper”, some, “companion”. This is because the Hebrew word has several connotations. A literal translation for that Hebrew verse is “a helper against him”. The Hebrew word does not necessarily suggest a subordinate role, but in English “helper” does have this meaning. In the present day context, a helpmate is more aptly interpreted as someone valuable and indispensible.
companion helper helpmate man woman
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A lot of phrases, such as "two-edged sword" and " an eye for an eye", are taken from the English Bible. Learning the stories behind these idioms is fun, and can help boost your vocabulary. Click here to find out now!