אִשָּׁה
ishshah
"woman, wife, female"
Strong's H802 • 781 occurrences
Linguistic Analysis
Part of Speech
Noun
Root
Derived from אִישׁ (ish - man)
Etymology
From ish (man). Genesis 2:23 wordplay: "She shall be called Woman (אִשָּׁה, ishshah), because she was taken out of Man (אִישׁ, ish)." Shows ontological unity - woman and man share the same essence.
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Woman is created in GOD's image equally with man (Gen 1:27). The term ishshah emphasizes her relational connection to ish (man) while affirming her distinct identity. She is עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ (ezer kenegdo) - a "strong helper corresponding to him" (Gen 2:18). Ezer is a military term used primarily for GOD as warrior-deliverer (Ps 121:1-2), indicating strength, not weakness. Wife is not inferior servant but essential ally, co-image-bearer, and partner in GOD's cultural mandate (Gen 1:28). The Fall disrupted this partnership (Gen 3:16 - "he shall rule over you"), but CHRIST restores it (Gal 3:28 - "no male and female"). Proverbs 31 presents the virtuous wife as entrepreneurial, strong, wise, and worthy of honor. Marriage is the first covenant, establishing the pattern for GOD's covenant with His people. Ultimately, the Church is the Bride of CHRIST (Eph 5:25-32, Rev 19:7-9), fulfilling all earthly marriage typology.
✝️ Christological Connection
The Church is the Bride of CHRIST (Eph 5:25-32). Earthly marriage is an icon of the heavenly marriage between CHRIST and His Bride. CHRIST loves the Church as a husband should love his wife - sacrificially, sanctifyingly, eternally. He gave Himself up for her, cleanses her, and will present her spotless (Eph 5:25-27). Revelation 19:7-9 describes the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, where CHRIST receives His prepared Bride. Revelation 21:2 shows the New Jerusalem as "a bride adorned for her husband." Every Christian wife points to this eternal reality: the Church united with CHRIST forever.
Key Verses
Genesis 2:23-24
"Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman (אִשָּׁה), because she was taken out of Man (אִישׁ)." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife (אִשָּׁה), and they shall become one flesh."
The creation ordinance for marriage. Woman is man's counterpart, his completion. The one-flesh union is ontological, not just physical.
Proverbs 31:10-11
"An excellent wife (אִשָּׁה) who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her."
The virtuous wife is rare and valuable. She earns her husband's complete trust through character and competence.
Ephesians 5:25-27
"Husbands, love your wives, as CHRIST loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her... that she might be holy and without blemish."
Marriage typology: husband represents CHRIST, wife represents Church. CHRIST's love is sacrificial and sanctifying.
Scholar Insights
wright
Marriage in Genesis 2 is about partnership in image-bearing. Man and woman together reflect GOD's image (Gen 1:27). The one-flesh union is the restoration of an original unity. Paul sees marriage as a signpost to the great marriage: CHRIST and His Church (Ephesians 5).
bartholomew
The Hebrew wordplay (ish/ishshah) emphasizes complementarity, not hierarchy. Woman is not derivative of man in value, but she is relationally connected. Together they fulfill GOD's cultural mandate (Gen 1:28). The Fall disrupts this partnership (Gen 3:16), but CHRIST restores it (Gal 3:28).
heiser
Genesis 1:27 is radical: "GOD created man in His image... male and female He created them." Both sexes equally bear GOD's image. This is revolutionary in the ancient Near East where only kings were seen as divine images. Every woman is a divine image-bearer, not property.
Note: Extra-biblical sources are provided for historical and cultural context. They are not authoritative like Scripture but help illuminate the ancient understanding of biblical texts.
Extra-Biblical References
Dead Sea Scrolls - Damascus Document
CD 4:20-21"And they took wives for themselves from among all that they chose... But GOD's design for the foundation of the world was "male and female He created them" (Gen 1:27)."
Qumran community upheld lifelong monogamy against polygamy. One man, one woman, as GOD designed.
Philo of Alexandria - On the Creation
Opif. 151-152"Woman is made from man's rib (πλευρά) to show she is equal in rank, for she is taken from his side, not his head or feet."
Early Jewish-Hellenistic interpretation emphasized equality. Woman from side = partnership.
Related Words
עֵזֶר (ezer)
ezer
H5828 - Helper, ally. Military term used primarily for GOD. Woman as strong helper, not inferior servant (Gen 2:18).
γυνή (gune)
gune
G1135 - Woman, wife (Greek NT equivalent). Context determines specific meaning.
Typology & Patterns
Typological Fulfillment
Eve (Gen 3:20) → Mary (Mother of JESUS). Eve brought death; Mary brought Life. Sarah (Gen 17:15) → Church as Royal Bride. Rebekah (Gen 24) → Church chosen before foundation, brought to CHRIST. Ruth (Ruth 4) → Gentile grafted in, redeemed by Kinsman-Redeemer.
Biblical Patterns
- •Co-Image-Bearers: Male and female both reflect GOD (Gen 1:27)
- •Ezer Kenegdo: Wife as strong ally, corresponding helper
- •One-Flesh Covenant: Permanent, exclusive union (Gen 2:24)
- •Church as Bride: Ultimate fulfillment in CHRIST (Eph 5, Rev 19)
- •Proverbs 31: Strength, wisdom, entrepreneurship, not passivity
Practical Application
Understanding the biblical concept of wife affirms women's dignity as image-bearers and ezer (strong helpers). Wives are not inferior but essential partners in marriage and in GOD's mission. The model is complementarity with equality in worth. Submission (Eph 5:22) is voluntary and Christ-honoring, not coerced. The Proverbs 31 woman is entrepreneurial, strong, wise - not passive. Every Christian marriage points to CHRIST and the Church.
"Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
— Psalm 119:11