Ecclesiastes 4:5–7
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
*The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceProu.6.10 and 24.33.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
*Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceProu. 15.16. and 16.18.
¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
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12 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 5
- Isaiah 9:20Rank 1 from verse 5
20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
20†And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry, and he shall eate on the left hand, and they shall not bee satisfied: they shall eate euery man the flesh of his owne arme.
- Proverbs 6:10–11Rank 2 from verse 5
10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
10 Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleepe.
11So shall thy pouertie come as one that trauaileth, and thy want as an armed man.
- Proverbs 13:4Rank 3 from verse 5
- Proverbs 20:4Rank 5 from verse 5
- Proverbs 11:17Rank 6 from verse 5
- Proverbs 12:27Rank 7 from verse 5
- Proverbs 24:33–34Rank 8 from verse 5
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
33* Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the handes to sleepe:
34†So shall thy pouertie come, as one that traueileth, and thy want, as an armed man.
From verse 6
- Proverbs 15:16–17Rank 1 from verse 6
16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
16*Better is little with the feare of the LORD, then great treasure, and trouble therewith.
17*Better is a dinner of herbes where loue is, then a stalled oxe, and hatred therewith.
- Proverbs 16:8Rank 2 from verse 6
- Psalms 37:16Rank 3 from verse 6
- Proverbs 17:1Rank 4 from verse 6
From verse 7
- Ecclesiastes 4:1Rank 1 from verse 7
1SO I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
1¶ *†So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done vnder the sunne; & behold the teares of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter: and on the side of their oppressours there was power, but they had no comforter.
- Psalms 78:33Rank 2 from verse 7
- Zechariah 1:6Rank 3 from verse 7
6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my seruants the Prophets, did they not ‖take holde of your fathers? and they returned and saide; *Like as the LORD of hostes thought to doe vnto vs, according to our wayes, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with vs.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:5
Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of fold, meaning to bend, wrap, or enclose by doubling.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
In one place, company, time, purpose, or united condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of eat, meaning to take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:6
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
As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A state of rest; stillness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Trouble, distress, irritation, or that which wearies and afflicts the mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:7
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of return, meaning to go, come, send, or give back; to restore, answer, or turn again.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 4:4–8
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4:4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4:4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
4:5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
4:5*The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.
Selected passage4:6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
4:6*Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.
Selected passage4:7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
4:7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
Selected passage4:8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
4:8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.