נֶ֫גֶד

From the study of Proverbs 21:30

Range of meaning

A preposition meaning 'in front of, opposite, facing, in sight of', and 'corresponding to' (Gen 2:18, a helper 'kenegdo', matching him or opposite him). With lə- it means 'before, in the presence of' (Ps 16:8 'I have set YHWH lenegdi, before me, always'). It can also mean 'over against' in a hostile sense, confronting or opposing (Neh 4:5 [3:37 Heb.], provoking anger 'in front of the builders').

Against the English

Most English versions use 'against', which brings out the hostile sense. YLT's 'over-against' keeps the spatial picture of two things standing face to face. The Hebrew carries both ideas: opposition, and being measured in someone's presence.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDB and HALOT list both 'in front of' and 'opposite/against'. The Vulgate chose contra Dominum, 'against the Lord', and most later translations follow it.

From the study of Genesis 2:18

Range of meaning

Made of ke- (“as, like, according to”) + neged (“in front of, opposite, facing, in the sight of”) + “him.” Neged is common: “in front of” someone, “opposite” them, “before” them (for example Exodus 19:2, Israel camped “opposite” the mountain; Psalm 23:5 does not use it, but Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD before me” does). This exact combination occurs only here and in 2:20. Its sense is “corresponding to him,” “matching him,” “his counterpart.”

Against the English

KJV “meet for him” (“fit for him”), ESV “fit,” NIV/BSB/NASB “suitable,” WEB “comparable,” YLT “as his counterpart,” NRSV “as his partner.” “Suitable” and “fit” express appropriateness but lose the picture of facing one another. “Counterpart” and “corresponding to” keep it better.

How it drifted

“Meet” meant “fitting, suitable” in 1611 (compare “it is meet and right”). Once that sense faded, “help meet” sounded like a single noun.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint has kat' auton (“according to him, like him”) here and homoios autō (“like him”) in 2:20. The Vulgate has similem sui (“like himself”). Rabbinic tradition played on the literal “opposite him”: “If he is worthy, she is a help; if not, she is against him” (Babylonian Talmud Yevamot 63a; Genesis Rabbah 17:3; Rashi). The pun shows that ancient readers heard the face-to-face “opposite” in the word.

From the study of Isaiah 5:21

Range of meaning

neged: in front of, opposite, in full view of, corresponding to (the same root gives ʿēzer kənegdô, "a helper corresponding to him," Gen 2:18). pānîm: face, presence, front. Together: "right before their faces," "in their own view."

Against the English

BSB, KJV and WEB smooth it into "in their own sight," which is accurate. YLT's "before their own faces" keeps the physical picture: people facing only themselves.

Used elsewhere in the period

neged is used for what is set before someone's eyes (Ps 51:5, "my sin is ever before me"; Ps 16:8, "I have set YHWH always before me"; Ps 90:8).