עֵזֶר
𐤏𐤆𐤓
ʻêzer
H5828 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A means of assistance, support, or help; refers both to aid rendered in practical or existential situations (human or divine), and often designates a helper or source of assistance. In some contexts the word can refer specifically to a person who provides help, or to God as the ultimate helper.
Semantic Range
help, assistance, aid, one who helps, supporter, rescuer, deliverer, (rarely) resources or means of aid
Root / Etymology
From the root עזר, meaning 'to help, support, assist.' The noun עֵזֶר is a common nominal derivative, designating the act of help or the entity providing help. Root meaning 'to help' is broader than the noun, which often indicates tangible or effectual assistance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical texts, עֵזֶר is used for help rendered by both humans (Genesis 2:18—referring to a companion for the human) and by God (such as in Psalms and historical narrative). Importantly, the term does not suggest subordination; in Genesis 2 the use of עֵזֶר for the woman implies strong, necessary help, echoing texts where God is referred to as עֵזֶר. The nuance varies: at times it describes everyday assistance; in other contexts, it denotes vital or existential deliverance. Later translation traditions (including English) often narrow the sense to 'helper' or 'helpmeet', but this does not fully capture the strength or parity of the assistance implied in many contexts. The technical distinction from related terms such as סָעַד (support, sustain) is that עֵזֶר emphasizes active or effectual help, not merely upholding or sustaining.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָזַר; aid; help.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עזר (ʿ-z-r) — help, assist, support
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3134 | יוֹעֶזֶר | and YHWH-is-help |
| H3270 | יַעֲזֵיר | in He-helps |
| H373 | אִיעֶזְרִי | the Iezerite clansman |
| H461 | אֱלִיעֶזֶר | God is help |
| H5809 | עַזּוּר | Azzur |
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5828-03 |
עֵ֖זֶר | ezer | HNcmsa |
help | help | 4 |
H5828-04 |
עֶזְרָ֖/ם | ezeram | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their help | their help | 3 |
H5828-07 |
עֶזְרִ֣/י | ezeri | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my help | my help | 3 |
H5828-05 |
עֶזְרֶ֔/ךָ | ezerekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your help | your help | 2 |
H5828-11 |
בְ/עֶזְרֶ֔/ךָ | veezerekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
against your help | with your help | 2 |
H5828-06 |
עֶזְרֵ֖/נוּ | ezerenu | HNcmsc/Sp1cp |
our help | our help | 2 |
H5828-12 |
עזר/ה | zrh | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
his help | her help | 1 |
H5828-02 |
בְּ/עֶזְר֑/וֹ | beezero | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
whose hope | with his help | 1 |
H5828-01 |
בְּ/עֶזְרִ֔/י | beezeri | HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
was my help | with my help | 1 |
H5828-10 |
וְ/עֵ֥זֶר | veezer | HC/Ncmsa |
and help | and help | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5828-03 |
Genesis 2:18 | עֵ֖זֶר | ezer | HNcmsa |
a helper | help |
H5828-03 |
Genesis 2:20 | עֵ֖זֶר | ezer | HNcmsa |
a helper | help |
H5828-01 |
Exodus 18:4 | בְּ/עֶזְרִ֔/י | beezeri | HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
was my help | with my help |
H5828-10 |
Deuteronomy 33:7 | וְ/עֵ֥זֶר | veezer | HC/Ncmsa |
and help | and help |
H5828-11 |
Deuteronomy 33:26 | בְ/עֶזְרֶ֔/ךָ | veezerekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
to your help | with your help |
H5828-05 |
Deuteronomy 33:29 | עֶזְרֶ֔/ךָ | ezerekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
of your help | your help |
H5828-09 |
Isaiah 30:5 | לְ/עֵ֨זֶר֙ | leezer | HR/Ncmsa |
for help | for help |
H5828-12 |
Ezekiel 12:14 | עזר/ה | zrh | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
his help | her help |
H5828-08 |
Ezekiel 12:14 | עֶזְר֛/וֹ | ezero | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his help | his help |
H5828-11 |
Hosea 13:9 | בְ/עֶזְרֶֽ/ךָ | veezerekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
against your help | with your help |