Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "helpless" in the Bible often refers to individuals or groups who are unable to defend themselves, provide for their needs, or change their circumstances without divine intervention. This state of vulnerability is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting God's compassion and provision for those who are powerless.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with helplessness is "dal," which can mean poor, weak, or lowly. The plight of the helpless is a recurring theme, particularly in the Psalms and the Prophets. For instance,
Psalm 82:3-4 commands, "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked." This passage underscores the responsibility of God's people to act justly on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves.
The account of the Israelites in Egypt is a profound example of helplessness. Enslaved and oppressed, they cried out to God, who heard their pleas and delivered them through Moses (
Exodus 3:7-8). This narrative illustrates God's attentiveness to the cries of the helpless and His power to rescue them.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "asthenēs" is often used to describe those who are weak or powerless. Jesus Christ's ministry is marked by His compassion for the helpless. In
Matthew 9:36 , it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus' response to the helpless was not only to teach and heal but also to offer Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (
John 10:11).
The Apostle Paul also addresses the state of helplessness in a spiritual context. In
Romans 5:6 , he writes, "For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Here, Paul emphasizes humanity's inability to save itself from sin, highlighting the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death for redemption.
God's Provision for the HelplessThroughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a refuge and strength for the helpless.
Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." This assurance is echoed in the promises of God's care and provision for those who trust in Him.
The Bible also calls believers to emulate God's concern for the helpless.
James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This directive reflects the biblical mandate to support and defend those who are vulnerable.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of helplessness serves as a reminder of human dependency on God and the call to reflect His compassion and justice in the world. Through His Word, God assures the helpless of His presence and provision, inviting believers to participate in His work of mercy and deliverance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Destitute of help or strength; unable to help or defend one's self; needing help; feeble; weak; as, a helpless infant.
2. (a.) Beyond help; irremediable.
3. (a.) Bringing no help; unaiding.
4. (a.) Unsupplied; destitute; -- with of.
Greek
5497. cheiragogos -- leading by the hand... the hand. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: cheiragogos Phonetic
Spelling: (khi-rag-o-gos') Short Definition: one who leads a
helpless person by
...772. asthenes -- without strength, weak
... prefix) and sthenes (strong) Definition without strength, weak NASB Word Usagehelpless
(1), sick (6), unimpressive (1), weak (12), weak things (1), weaker (1...
1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let...
... from 1722 , "in"; 2596 , "down"; and 3007 , "to leave") -- properly, left in a
condition of lack ("without"); hence, to feel forsaken (helpless), like left in...
Strong's Hebrew
647a. aphunah -- perhapshelpless... 647, 647a. aphunah. 647b . perhaps
helpless. Transliteration: aphunah Short
Definition: overcome. Word Origin from the same as ophan
...647. Aphiyach -- perhapshelpless
... 646, 647. Aphiyach. 647a . perhapshelpless. Transliteration: Aphiyach Phonetic
Spelling: (af-ee'-akh) Short Definition: Aphiah. Aphiah...
1800b. dal -- low, weak, poor, thin
... Word Origin from dalal Definition low, weak, poor, thin NASB Word Usage depressed
(1),helpless (7), least (1), lowly (2), needy (1), poor (29), poor man (3...
372. Iezer -- "region of help," two Israelites
... (the same as NH0044) NASB Word Usage Iezer (1). Jeezer. From 'iy and ezer;helpless;
Iezer, an Israelite -- Jeezer. see HEBREW 'iy. see HEBREW ezer. 371, 372...
7503. raphah -- sink, relax
... root Definition sink, relax NASB Word Usage abandon* (1), alone* (2), becomehelpless
(1), become* (1), cease (2), collapses (1), courage* (1), discouraged* (2...
369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... has none (1), has nothing (1), have (5), have i no (1), have no (24), have none
(2), have nothing (2), having a nor (1), having no (2),helpless* (1), incurable...
3027. yad -- hand
... fist (1), force (1), four-fifths* (1), guarantor* (1), had (1), hand (859), handed
(1), hands (303), hands* (1), have* (1), help* (1),helpless* (1), herself (1...
410. el -- God, in pl. gods
... gods NASB Word Usage El-berith* (1), God (204), god (16), God's (2), gods (3),helpless*
(1), mighty (3), Mighty One (3), power (1), strong (1)....
Library
TheHelpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
... CHAPTER VII. THEHELPLESS STATE OF THE SINNER UNDER CONDEMNATION.... "O! doleful,
uncomfortable,helpless state! O wretch that I am, to have reduced myself to it!...
"Now it is Only ThusHelpless and Useless in Religion...
... Address 62: "Now it is only thushelpless and useless in religion? "Now
it is only thushelpless and useless in religion; it is...
Psalm 142 God is the Hope of theHelpless.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 142 God is the hope of thehelpless. CM God is the hope
of thehelpless. To God I made my sorrows known,. From God I sought relief;...
Psalm 142. God is the Hope of theHelpless.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 142. God is the hope of thehelpless.
1 To God I made my sorrows known, From God I sought relief...
The Helplessness of the Gospel
... But however great its power and influence, however wonderful its accomplishments,
there are conditions under which it is pitifullyhelpless, under which it can...
Early Afflictions
... "Misery stole me at my birth And cast mehelpless on the wild."... In my fifteenth year
I became ahelpless invalid, and lay in bed for five months at one time....
Christ the Great Physician.
... The idea is, that if one has but a comparatively small amount of sin, he is not
wholly lost and utterlyhelpless, and wholly dependent on Christ....
Impossible with Man, Possible with God
... the spiritual life: "It is impossible for me, my God; let there be an end of the
flesh and all its powers, an end of self, and let it be my glory to behelpless...
The Withered Hand
... Therefore there is no touch, neither is thehelpless man bidden to take up any
burden, or instigated to the slightest ritual irregularity....
Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... The One ishelpless, bound, alone; the other invested with all the externals of
power. But which is the stronger?... 'Thou a king? '"poorhelpless peasant!...
Thesaurus
Helpless (27 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Destitute of help or strength; unable to help or defend one's self; needing
help; feeble; weak; as, a
helpless infant.
...Helpless (27 Occurrences).
...Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... Goats hunt out the best feeding-grounds, but sheep are morehelpless and have to
be led to their food (compare Numbers 27:16, 17); nor do they possess the...
Ambush (39 Occurrences)
... From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against thehelpless.
(Root in WEB YLT RSV NIV).... He lies in wait to catch thehelpless....
Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)
... From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against thehelpless.
(See NAS). Psalms 10:10 Thehelpless are crushed. They collapse....
Lurks (3 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch
thehelpless. He catches thehelpless, when he draws him in his net....
Draws (20 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch
thehelpless. He catches thehelpless, when he draws him in his net....
Catches (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait
to catch thehelpless. He catches thehelpless, when he draws him in his net....
Seizes (16 Occurrences)
... Psalms 10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch
thehelpless. He catches thehelpless, when he draws him in his net. (See RSV)....
Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the
helpless. (See NAS RSV).... He lies in wait to catch thehelpless....
Hapless (3 Occurrences)
... From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against thehelpless.
(See RSV). Psalms 10:10 Thehelpless are crushed. They collapse....
Resources
God helps those who help themselves - is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it refers to a “Daughter of Zion”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said “I am the door” (John 10:7)? | GotQuestions.orgHelpless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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