Ecclesiastes 4:12–13
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.
¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
¶ †Better is a poore and a wise child, then an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. who knoweth not to be admonished.
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From verse 12
- Daniel 3:16–17Rank 1 from verse 12
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king; O Nebuchad-nezzar, we are not carefull to answere thee in this matter.
17If it be so, our God whom wee serue, is able to deliuer vs from the burning fierie furnace, and he will deliuer vs out of thine hand, O king.
- Ephesians 4:3Rank 2 from verse 12
- 2 Samuel 23:9Rank 3 from verse 12
9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
9And after him was *Eleazar the sonne of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mightie men with Dauid, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battell, and the men of Israel were gone away.
- 2 Samuel 23:18–19Rank 4 from verse 12
18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
18And *Abishai the brother of Ioab, the sonne of Zeruiah, was chiefe among three, and he lift vp his speare against three hundred, † and slew them, and had the name among three.
19Was hee not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captaine: howbeit, hee attained not vnto the first three.
- 2 Samuel 23:23Rank 5 from verse 12
- 2 Samuel 23:16Rank 6 from verse 12
16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
16And the three mightie men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the Well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and tooke it, and brought it to Dauid: neuerthelesse he would not drinke thereof, but powred it out vnto the LORD.
From verse 13
- 2 Chronicles 25:16Rank 1 from verse 13
16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
16And it came to passe as hee talked with him, that the king said vnto him, Art thou made of the Kings counsell? forbeare; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the Prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath †determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened vnto my counsell.
- Proverbs 19:1Rank 2 from verse 13
- 2 Chronicles 16:9–10Rank 3 from verse 13
9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, ‖to shewe himselfe strong in the behalfe of them, whose heart is perfite towards him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore, from hencefoorth thou shalt haue warres.
10Then Asa was wroth with the Seer, and put him in a prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa †oppressed some of the people the same time.
- Proverbs 28:15–16Rank 4 from verse 13
15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
15 As a roaring lyon and a ranging beare: so is a wicked ruler ouer the poore people.
16The prince that wanteth vnderstanding, is also a great oppressour: but he that hateth couetousnesse, shall prolong his dayes.
- 1 Kings 22:8Rank 5 from verse 13
8And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
8And the king of Israel said vnto Iehoshaphat, There is yet one man, (Micaiah the sonne of Imlah) by whom we may enquire of the LORD; but I hate him, for he doth not prophesie good concerning me, but euill. And Iehoshaphat said, Let not the King say so.
- Ecclesiastes 9:15–16Rank 6 from verse 13
15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
15Now there was found in it a poore wise man, and hee by his wisedome deliuered the citie; yet no man remembred that same poore man.
16*Then said I, Wisedome is better then strength: neuerthelesse, the poore mans wisedome is despised, and his words are not heard.
- Genesis 37:2Rank 7 from verse 13
2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
2These are the generations of Iacob: Ioseph being seuenteene yeeres old, was feeding the flocke with his brethren, and the lad was with the sonnes of Bilhah, and with the sonnes of Zilpah, his fathers wiues: and Ioseph brought vnto his father their euill report.
- Proverbs 28:6Rank 8 from verse 13
- 2 Chronicles 24:20–22Rank 9 from verse 13
20And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
21And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.
22Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.
20And the spirit of God †came vpon Zechariah the sonne of Iehoiada the priest, which stood aboue the people, and said vnto them: Thus saith God, Why transgresse yee the commandements of the LORD, that yee cannot prosper? Because yee haue forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
21And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandement of the king, in the court of the house of the LORD.
22Thus Ioash the king remembred not the kindnesse which Iehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his sonne: and when he died, he said, The LORD looke vpon it, and require it.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Consisting of three strands.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
A string or small rope made of twisted strands, including a line used for measuring.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Speedily, promptly, immediately, suddenly, or without delay.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:13
Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. Lacking material means. 2. Afflicted, lowly, or humble.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A son or daughter; an offspring or descendant. 2. A young person or infant, considered by age or development. 3. In 'with child,' pregnant or carrying an unborn child. 4. One described as belonging to, derived from, characterized by, or dependent upon another person, group, or condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Advanced in age or existing for a long time. 2. Of the stated or specified age. 3. Ancient, former, previous, or worn.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Lacking wisdom or sound judgment; acting or speaking without wisdom.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
admonished
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of admonish, meaning to put in mind by warning, counsel, instruction, or reproof.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 4:9–16
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4:9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
4:9¶ Two are better then one; because they haue a good reward for their labour.
4:10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
4:10For if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow; but woe to him that is alone, when he falleth: for he hath not another to helpe him vp.
4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
4:11Againe, if two lye together, then they haue heate; but howe can one be warme alone?
4:12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:12And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.
Selected passage4:13¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
4:13¶ †Better is a poore and a wise child, then an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished.
Selected passage4:14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
4:14For out of prison hee commeth to raigne, whereas also he that is borne in his kingdome, becommeth poore.
4:15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
4:15I considered all the liuing which walke vnder the sunne, with the second child that shall stand vp in his stead.
4:16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
4:16 There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.