This word study on kenegdo ties directly into the last word study on ezer. The complete phrase used to describe the first woman, Eve, in the Bible is ezer kenegdo. Ezer, as described before, means helper. Kenegdo is a descriptor for ezer. Kenegdo is translated “suitable” or “meet”. Ezer kenegdo is easily translated as “help meet”, but this translation in the past was used as a way to diminish women, limiting them to be an inferior “helpmeet” to their husbands.
This lazy translation neglects the depth and strength of kenedgo.
Kenegdo when attached to ezer in the context of Genesis 2 does mean “helper suitable”, but suitable doesn’t means “just barely enough” or “convenient but not necessary”. The woman God made in the garden was not an added bonus for the man. Man being alone was the first thing God described as “not good”! The man needed help.
Kenegdo means “as in front of him”, like the man was seeing a reflection. An image bearer of God. Equal. Match. The other half of a polarity. When God created the first woman, He created her to be a helper to a being different from herself, but her help is in perfect correspondence to the man. What woman brings to the table is different but not less. She is neither inferior or superior to the man. They are equals.
God created male and female differently and equally. The relationship between men and women is meant to be one of harmony, two pitches composing one melody. What men and women bring to the table unite two forces of strength towards the mission of bringing the Kingdom of God and making it on earth as it is in Heaven.
Sisters in Christ, as ezer kenegdo, you are beautiful, fully capable warriors of God. You are equal allies to our brothers in the work of Kingdom come. We are not second best, less than, convenient, or extra. We, and all of our giftings, talents, and differences, are needed in the Kingdom of God.
You are strong. You are able. You are ezer kenegdo.
My prayer for you is that you believe in your heart and mind that you are ezer kenegdo. Believe that you are made with intention, full of strength, beauty, and the ability to lead. And I pray that not only would you believe the truth of ezer kenegdo, but that you would live like you believe it. You and your heart are needed in the Body of Christ.
“Neither one of us - woman or man - is secondary or backup; we are all key parts of the Kingdom building, intrinsic to the story of God, right now.” - Sarah Bessey.
Helpful resources for this word study:
Half the Church: Carolyn Custis James
Jesus Feminist: Sarah Bessey
“Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we?”: Rachel Held Evans
Kate Moore is a senior in Psychology and Religion at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. She enjoys walking in the woods, drinking way too much coffee, and driving around with her friends. Right now, the Lord is teaching her about tangibly loving like Jesus while she works with kids at Camp Vinson Valley.