Genesis 2:18 kjv
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 nkjv
And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."
Genesis 2:18 niv
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:18 esv
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Genesis 2:18 nlt
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."
Genesis 2 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:26-27 | Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… male and female He created them.” | Humans created male & female in God's image, implying inherent relationality. |
| Gen 1:31 | God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. | Contrast with "not good" in Gen 2:18, highlighting unique incompleteness. |
| Gen 2:21-24 | And the LORD God caused a deep sleep... and He took one of his ribs... This is now bone of my bones... Therefore a man shall leave his father... and be joined to his wife... | Account of the creation of woman from man, emphasizing union and one flesh. |
| Psa 33:20 | Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. | God as "helper" (same Hebrew root 'ezer), elevating the role's dignity. |
| Psa 70:5 | But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer... | God as 'ezer, demonstrating strength and indispensable aid. |
| Deut 33:7 | And this he said of Judah: “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, And may You be a help to him from his enemies.” | God as "help" ('ezer) for defense and support. |
| Deut 33:29 | Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! | God as "help" ('ezer) providing security and victory. |
| Hos 13:9 | O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me. | God as "help" ('ezer), the ultimate source of salvation. |
| Ecc 4:9-12 | Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his companion... if one lies alone, how can he keep warm?... a threefold cord is not quickly broken. | Emphasizes the benefit, strength, and necessity of companionship over solitude. |
| Matt 19:4-6 | "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?" | Jesus affirms the creation narrative, particularly the unique design of marriage. |
| Mark 10:6-9 | "But from the beginning of creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh." | Similar affirmation by Jesus of the original design for marriage. |
| 1 Cor 11:8-9 | For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. | Discusses the order of creation as a basis for understanding male/female roles. |
| Eph 5:21 | submitting to one another in the fear of God. | Foundation for mutual submission within relationships, including marriage. |
| Eph 5:22-33 | Wives, submit to your own husbands... Husbands, love your wives... this mystery is great; but I speak concerning Christ and the church. | Outlines complementary roles in marriage, seeing it as a reflection of Christ and the Church. |
| Col 3:18-19 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. | Reinforces the call for complementary roles and loving interactions in marriage. |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. | Calls for mutual honor and spiritual equality within the marriage bond. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Declares spiritual equality of all believers in Christ, transcending social distinctions. |
| Heb 13:5-6 | For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me." | Emphasizes God's unwavering presence as our helper, connecting it to divine faithfulness. |
| John 14:16 | "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—" | Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as "another Helper" (parakletos in Greek), akin to a strong, personal aid. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. | God assures His help, implying His assistance in meeting human needs. |
| Prov 18:22 | He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. | Reaffirms the positive, God-given nature of finding a wife and establishing marriage. |
Genesis 2 verses
Genesis 2 18 Meaning
Genesis 2:18 reveals God's divine observation and declaration that the solitary state of the man (adam) was "not good." This profound statement signifies a unique inadequacy in God's otherwise perfect creation, specifically concerning human existence. Therefore, God purposefully designed to create a "helper suitable for him," signifying the essential need for companionship, partnership, and a corresponding counterpart to complete the man and fulfill the relational design inherent in humanity. This helper, the woman, would be one who perfectly corresponded to him, enabling mutual flourishing and the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
Genesis 2 18 Context
Genesis chapter 2 details the creation of man and woman, providing a more focused account of the sixth day of creation (Gen 1) with specific emphasis on humanity. Following the formation of adam (mankind, and specifically the male human) from the dust and God's breath of life, God places him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. He is given the command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Animals are then created, and man names them, yet in this process, he finds "no helper suitable for him" among them. Genesis 2:18 serves as the divine prelude to the creation of the woman (Gen 2:21-25), addressing the one observed imperfection in God's pre-fall creation – man's aloneness. The context highlights God's continuous care and personal involvement in providing for man's needs, leading to the establishment of the institution of marriage. This verse underscores that man's nature, despite being perfect, was inherently relational and incomplete without a corresponding human counterpart.
Genesis 2 18 Word analysis
- And the Lord God said: This phrase emphasizes divine initiative and thoughtful design. "Lord God" (Yahweh Elohim) uses God's personal covenant name, Yahweh, alongside the general term for God, Elohim, indicating a personal, relational deity who is also sovereign creator. This suggests His compassionate concern for His creation.
- It is not good: Lo'-tov (לֹא־טוֹב). This is a crucial phrase, as it stands in stark contrast to the repeated divine pronouncements of "it was good" (tov) and "very good" (tov me'od) in Genesis chapter 1. It signifies that the man's solitary state lacked something essential for his well-being and for the full expression of human purpose, even in a sinless world. It highlights a relational void.
- that the man: Ha-adam (הָאָדָם). While referring specifically to the male human created in Gen 2:7, adam is also a collective term for humankind, suggesting that this inherent need for companionship is fundamental to human nature, not just to the first man.
- should be alone: Levaddo (לְבַדּוֹ). This Hebrew word conveys singularity, isolation, or separation. It means "by himself" or "in his separateness." The implication is not merely a physical state of being unaccompanied, but a fundamental lack of a fitting relational counterpart necessary for completeness.
- I will make him: 'E'eseh-lo (אֶעֱשֶׂה־לּוֹ). This signifies God's deliberate, active, and intentional decision to address the observed "not good" situation. It underscores God’s proactive care and perfect provision for man's needs, not just material but also relational.
- an help meet for him: 'Ezer kenegdo (עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ). This is perhaps the most significant phrase in the verse:
- 'Ezer (עֵזֶר): Often translated "helper," this word carries strong connotations of strength, assistance, and necessary aid. It's used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe God as Israel's "help" (e.g., Deut 33:7, Psa 33:20, 70:5). It does not imply subordination or inferiority, but rather essential strength and indispensable support. It denotes one who comes to the aid of another, often from a position of power or vital contribution.
- Kenegdo (כְּנֶגְדּוֹ): This difficult-to-translate prepositional phrase means "as in front of him," "corresponding to him," "opposite him," or "like him." It denotes a counterpart who is perfectly suited, parallel, and matching. It signifies someone who stands alongside, not beneath, sharing the same nature and capacity, providing the perfect complement and mirror image. It suggests parity in essence and standing, yet also distinction for completing the whole.
- Combined, 'ezer kenegdo describes a powerful, necessary, and corresponding partner who completes and assists the man in fulfilling his divine purpose, working alongside him in a relationship of mutual strength and shared essence.
Genesis 2 18 Bonus section
- Polemics against ANE cultures: Unlike many ancient Near Eastern myths where humanity was often an unintended byproduct, slave-labor for deities, or merely the culmination of a hierarchical progression, Genesis presents humanity (male and female) as God's intentional design and the pinnacle of creation. Genesis 2:18 further underscores God's personal care for the nuanced needs of His creation, emphasizing relationship as fundamental, countering any notion of an indifferent or purely utilitarian deity. The provision of a kenegdo also subtly counters ancient Near Eastern norms of polygamy by introducing the concept of a single, perfectly suited counterpart.
- Theology of Complementarity: This verse forms a cornerstone for the theological concept of complementarity within marriage. It teaches that while man and woman are distinct, they are equally essential and divinely purposed to complete one another, fulfilling roles that are distinct yet mutually dignifying and synergistic. The "helper" designation implies mutual strengthening, not superiority or inferiority.
- Pre-Fall Ideal: This verse describes the ideal state before the entrance of sin. The "not good" was not a result of human brokenness, but a design flaw corrected by divine action. It indicates that the greatest challenge to man’s perfection, even in paradise, was isolation, demonstrating the paramount importance of relationships.
- Humanity's Relational Design: Genesis 2:18 speaks not just to the creation of woman, but to the inherently relational nature of all humankind, stemming from being created in the image of a Triune God (Gen 1:26). While primarily concerning the spousal relationship, it lays a broader foundation for the importance of community, friendship, and shared life. While marriage is God's general design for human flourishing and the primary implication of this verse, God also provides grace for singleness (Matt 19:12, 1 Cor 7:7-9) where companionship might be found in other God-given communities and ministries.
Genesis 2 18 Commentary
Genesis 2:18 sets the foundational truth that deep human flourishing requires profound relational connection, particularly that of a fitting counterpart. God's declaration, "It is not good that the man should be alone," marks the first divine negative assessment in creation, signaling that companionship, specifically a spousal partnership, is integral to God's ideal for humanity. This verse elevates the woman's creation from an afterthought to a necessary, divinely ordained provision for man's completeness. The term "help meet for him" ('ezer kenegdo) must be understood in its full biblical weight: the woman is not merely a subordinate assistant but an indispensable strength, a vital aid, and a perfect, corresponding partner. Her creation addresses the man’s profound need for another human being of the same essence and dignity, capable of truly reciprocating love, conversation, and partnership in their joint stewardship of creation (Gen 1:28). This divinely instituted union between man and woman, culminating in marriage, provides the optimal context for human thriving, mirroring the relational nature of God Himself and serving as a picture of Christ and the Church (Eph 5).