Question and Answer Forum - Page 10

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From Genesis it is clear that God is neither male nor female so when God made man in his own image, the Bible is referring to mankind in general rather to just man as one half of the human species. The female side of mankind was removed from Adam and woman was created to be man's 'helper'. As you most usefully point out in the original Hebrew, the word 'ezer' is used, the same word as that used to describe God as our helper, from a position of strength and authority. Logically, woman could not act as such a helper were she not created to be superior to man. As a man, I have to accept that woman was indeed God's final and most glorious creation, nevertheless man and woman were recombined to be 'one flesh' through marriage. In this perfect, sinless relationship between the sexes before the fall there is no suggestion that woman was in any way subservient to man, indeed quite the opposite, as man's 'helper' she had a superior role to play in the marriage relationship.