עֶזֶר
𐤏𐤆𐤓
Ezer
H5827 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
ʻEzer is a personal name derived from the verbal root meaning 'help' or 'support.' As a proper noun in the Hebrew Bible, ʻEzer is the name of two Israelites: (1) one from the tribe of Ephraim listed among the descendants of Ephraim who were slain by the men of Gath (1 Chronicles 7:21), and (2) one who stood with Nehemiah at the reading of the Torah (Nehemiah 12:42). The lexical meaning underlying the name is 'help' or 'one who helps.' The semantic range when used as a proper noun is limited to its function as a personal name, but it alludes to the abstract noun עֵזֶר (ēzer) meaning 'help, assistance, support.'
Semantic Range
personal name (ʻEzer); associated concept of 'help'; allusion to aid or support; the abstract noun meaning 'help, aid, support'
Root / Etymology
From the root עזר (ʿ-z-r), which means 'to help, support, aid.' The name עֶזֶר (ʻEzer) is formed from this root, closely related to (and possibly a variant spelling of) the noun עֵזֶר (ēzer), 'help.' The derivation is regular, following the pattern of nouns and names constructed from verbal roots.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Throughout the Bible, naming with the root עזר often signifies the parents' invocation of divine or communal help, or a recognition of aid received. ʻEzer as a personal name reflects this motif. The use of ʻEzer as a name appears during both the monarchic period (1 Chronicles) and post-exilic period (Nehemiah), indicating continuity in naming practices. While the KJV and later translations often render personal names without reflecting their lexical meanings, in Hebrew context such names often carried significant meaning associated with the root. ʻEzer should not be confused with the general noun עֵזֶר, which appears in notable locations such as Genesis 2:18 ('a helper suitable'). Translational tradition sometimes obscures the etymological background of such names, but in Hebrew texts, meaning was often transparent to ancient readers.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָזַר; help; Ezer, the name of two Israelites; Ezer. Compare עֵזֶר.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עזר (ʿ-z-r) — help, support, aid
| 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
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5827-01 |
וְ/עֵ֣זֶר | veezer | HC/Np |
and Ezer | and Help-one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5827-01 |
1 Chronicles 7:21 | וְ/עֵ֣זֶר | veezer | HC/Np |
and Ezer | and Help-one |