Ecclesiastes 4:6–8
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.
There 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.
There 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.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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12 Essential passages are open for comparison.
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.
From verse 8
- 1 John 2:16Rank 1 from verse 8
- Proverbs 27:20Rank 2 from verse 8
- Luke 12:20Rank 3 from verse 8
- Ecclesiastes 1:8Rank 4 from verse 8
- Ecclesiastes 1:13Rank 5 from verse 8
13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
13And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauell hath God giuen to the sonnes of man, ‖to be exercised therewith.
- Matthew 11:28Rank 6 from verse 8
- Ecclesiastes 4:9–12Rank 7 from verse 8
9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
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.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
9¶ Two are better then one; because they haue a good reward for their labour.
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.
11Againe, if two lye together, then they haue heate; but howe can one be warme alone?
12And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold coard is not quickly broken.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10Rank 8 from verse 8
- Genesis 2:18Rank 9 from verse 8
- Isaiah 5:8Rank 10 from verse 8
- Isaiah 56:3–5Rank 11 from verse 8
3¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
3¶ Neither let the sonne of the stranger, that hath ioyned himselfe to the LORD, speake, saying, The LORD hath vtterly separated mee from his people: neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a drie tree.
4For thus saith the LORD vnto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please mee, and take hold of my couenant:
5Euen vnto them will I giue in mine house, and within my walles, a place and a name better then of sonnes and of daughters: I wil giue them an euerlasting name, that shal not be cut off.
- Psalms 39:6Rank 12 from verse 8
- Ecclesiastes 2:23Rank 13 from verse 8
- Genesis 15:2–3Rank 14 from verse 8
2And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
2And Abram said, LORD GOD, what wilt thou giue me, seeing I goe childlesse? and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus.
3And Abram said; Behold, to mee thou hast given no seed: and loe, one borne in my house is mine heire.
- Habakkuk 2:5–9Rank 15 from verse 8
5¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
7Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
8Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
9¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
5¶ ‖Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth vnto him all nations, & heapeth vnto him all people:
6‖Shal not all these take vp a parable against him, and a tanting prouerbe against him, and say; Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his: how long? and to him that ladeth himselfe with thicke clay.
7Shall they not rise vp suddenly that shall bite thee? and awake, that shall vexe thee? and thou shalt be for booties vnto them?
8†Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shal spoile thee: because of mens blood, and for the violence of the land, of the citie, and of all that dwell therein.
9¶ *‖†Woe to him that coueteth an euill couetousnesse to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that hee may be deliuered from the power of euill.
- Isaiah 44:19–20Rank 16 from verse 8
19And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
19††And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor vnderstanding to say; I haue burnt part of it in the fire, yea also I haue baked bread vpon the coales thereof: I haue rosted flesh and eaten it; and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall downe to the stocke of a tree?
20He feedeth of ashes: a deceiued heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliuer his soule, nor say; Is there not a lie in my right hand?
- Isaiah 55:2Rank 17 from verse 8
2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
2†Wherefore doe yee spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently vnto me, and eate ye that which is good, and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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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
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:8
1. Without others, company, or help; by oneself. 2. Only or solely. 3. In "let ... alone," to leave undisturbed or refrain from interfering with.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Next after the first in order, rank, time, or succession.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.
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
Sense 1: A male sibling; a near kinsman. Sense 2: A fellow member of a people or faith.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The bodily organ of sight; by extension, sight or seeing. Sense 2: Regard, judgment, disposition, or watchful attention, expressed figuratively by the eye. Sense 3: A small opening, as the eye of a needle. Sense 4: To watch or regard.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Past-tense or past-participial form of satisfy (to fill, content, supply sufficiently, or meet what is required).
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To deprive; to strip; to make destitute; with of before the thing taken away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: A living person or creature; a life or self. Sense 2: The inward self distinguished from the body. Sense 3: The seat of desire or appetite.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Painful, grievous, severe, or causing distress. Sense 2: Greatly, exceedingly, or intensely. Sense 3: A wound, ulcer, or tender or diseased place.
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
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5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5*The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
6*Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.
Selected passage7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
7¶ Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
Selected passage8There 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.
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.
Selected passage9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
9¶ Two are better then one; because they haue a good reward for their labour.