‛Âzar (עָזַר, Strong's #5826), “to help, assist, aid.” This word and its derivatives are common in both ancient and modern Hebrew. The verb occurs about 80 times in the biblical text. ‛Âzar is first found in the Old Testament in Jacob’s deathbed blessing of Joseph: “… The God of thy father, who shall help thee …” (Gen. 49:25).
Help or aid comes from a variety of sources: Thirty-two kings “helped” Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:6); one city “helps” another (Josh. 10:33); even false gods are believed to be of “help” (2 Chron. 28:23). Of course, the greatest source of help is God Himself; He is “the helper of the fatherless” (Ps. 10:14). God promises: “I will help thee” (Isa. 41:10); “and the Lord shall help them, and deliver them …” (Ps. 37:40).