The word helpmeet does not appear in scripture. What is the origin of this word?
Here's the answer:
The word helpmeet is a ghost word; that is, a word created through misreading of a text or misunderstanding of grammatical elements, etc. The text in Gen. 2:18 actually reads: "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him," (italics added) meaning a helper that is meet for him; that is, suited to, worthy of, or corresponding to him. The two words commonly have been misread as a single word with a definition identical to helpmate.
Sources: Webster's New World Dictionary, second college edition; LDS edition of the King James Bible, footnote 18b under Gen. 2:18.
