Strong’s Greek 997 expresses an urgent plea for practical, rescuing assistance. Whether directed toward God, toward Christ incarnate, toward fellow believers, or even pictured metaphorically in creation itself, the verb portrays timely intervention that averts ruin, strengthens faith, and advances the spread of the gospel.

Cries for Mercy in the Gospels

1. Matthew 15:25 records the Canaanite woman’s petition: “But she came and knelt before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ ” The request arises from covenant-outsider desperation and is met with Messianic compassion, prefiguring the inclusion of the Gentiles.
2. Mark narrates two connected pleas. In Mark 9:22 a father begs, “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” When Jesus calls him to faith, the man responds, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). The repetition underscores the Savior’s willingness to meet both physical and spiritual need.

These passages reveal the Messiah as the immediate answer to personal distress, inviting every generation to bring its helplessness to Him.

Christ the Faithful High Priest

Hebrews 2:18 grounds the believer’s confidence in the finished work of Christ: “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Here βοηθέω moves from momentary relief to ongoing priestly ministry. The incarnate Son, having entered real human suffering, renders personal aid to saints facing temptation, guaranteeing victory that flows from His own obedience.

Evangelistic Implications

Acts 16:9 shows the verb shaping missionary direction: “Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ ” The Macedonian call demonstrates that gospel advance is itself a form of help—spiritual rescue of those sitting in darkness. By responding, Paul embodies the Lord’s compassion toward unreached peoples.

Defense of Truth and Fellowship

In Acts 21:28 the cry “Men of Israel, help!” arises amid riotous opposition to Paul in Jerusalem. The same word that pleads for mercy now rallies others to defend perceived orthodoxy. While the mob’s motives were misguided, Luke’s usage shows that βοηθέω can summon communal action in times of doctrinal crisis, reminding the church to contend earnestly for the faith (compare Jude 1:3).

Salvation History and Prophetic Fulfillment

Quoting Isaiah 49:8, Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2 applies the verb to God’s redemptive timetable: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” The aorist emphasizes decisive divine intervention accomplished in Christ. The apostle’s appeal—“now is the day of salvation!”—turns past prophetic promise into present evangelistic urgency.

Revelation 12:16 projects the theme onto the cosmic stage: “But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of its mouth.” Creation itself becomes God’s agent in preserving the messianic community, illustrating the Lord’s sovereign capacity to marshal every element of history for the protection of His people.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Assured Assistance in Temptation: Every believer may draw near with confidence, expecting Christ’s sympathetic, effectual aid (Hebrews 2:18).
• Intercessory Mission: Responding to cries for “help” remains the church’s mandate, whether across the street or across the sea (Acts 16:9).
• Strengthening Weak Faith: The honest confession “help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) legitimizes prayers that acknowledge deficiency while reaching for grace.
• Collective Defense of Truth: Properly directed, the call to “help” can unify the body against error and sustain biblical fidelity (Acts 21:28, redeemed in purpose).
• Eschatological Hope: Revelation assures believers that divine help is woven into the climax of history; therefore steadfast endurance is never in vain.

Summary

Strong’s 997 threads through Scripture as the vocabulary of urgent need answered by faithful intervention. From personal healing to cosmic deliverance, from initial conversion to ongoing sanctification, the verb reminds Christians that the Lord hears, cares, and acts—often through His people, always on time, and ultimately for His glory.