Genesis 2:18-25

The Creation of Animals and of Woman

18. It is not good, &c. Man is created a social animal. His full powers cannot be developed by physical and mental work alone; nor his moral being by self-discipline in solitude. His faculties and his character require to be expanded and beautified by the duties of domestic and social life, as a member of a family, as a friend, as a fellow-worker, as a citizen. To be alone is not "good"; it does not promote his fullest life, or his best service.

an help meet for him "meet": or answering to. The word "meet" means "suitable," or "adapted to." The Lord God will make for man a "help" corresponding to his moral and intellectual nature, supplying what he needs, the counterpart of his being.

"Help meet," which has become a recognized English word, fails to give the full sense of this passage from which it is derived. Man will find help from that which is in harmony with his own nature, and, therefore, able adequately to sympathise with him in thought and interests. It is not identity, but harmony, of character which is suggested. The word "help" in the Hebrew is -êzer, the same as is found in Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12): LXX βοηθόν : Lat. adjutorium.

"Meet for him" is lit. "as over against him." LXX κατ ʼ αὐτόν, Vulg. simile sibi.

Observe that the versions have "let usmake," LXX ποιήσωμεν, Lat. faciamus, in imitation of Genesis 1:26, but inaccurately.