Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 4:9–11

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For 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.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

11 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 9

  1. Proverbs 27:17Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

  2. Genesis 2:18Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    18¶ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

  3. 1 Corinthians 12:18–21Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

    19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

    20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

    21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

  4. Mark 6:7Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    7¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

  5. Numbers 11:14Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

From verse 10

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11Rank 1 from verse 10
    Open

    11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:18Rank 2 from verse 10
    Open

    18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  3. Galatians 6:1Rank 3 from verse 10
    Open

    1BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  4. Isaiah 35:3–4Rank 4 from verse 10
    Open

    3¶ Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

    4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

  5. Job 4:3–4Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

    4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

From verse 11

  1. 1 Kings 1:1–4Rank 1 from verse 11
    Open

    1NOW king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat.

    2Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.

    3So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

    4And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:9

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

reward

↗

Sense 1: A benefit, payment, honour, punishment, or recompense given or received. Sense 2: As a verb, to give such a return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

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

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:10

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

fall

↗

Sense 1: To descend, drop, or lose an upright position. Sense 2: To be slain, defeated, overthrown, ruined, or brought down. Sense 3: To come upon or attack. Sense 4: To pass into a specified place, condition, power, or course, or to depart from a former standing. Sense 5: To happen, turn out, or be allotted. Sense 6: As a noun, descent, overthrow, ruin, or loss of standing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lift

↗

Sense 1: To raise, bear up, or elevate physically. Sense 2: To direct upward or raise in expression, as the eyes, hands, voice, soul, prayer, or countenance. Sense 3: To exalt, restore, strengthen, or raise in condition or honour. Sense 4: To raise or wield against, as a hand, tool, weapon, or standard. Sense 5: In lift from off, to remove or take away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

falleth

↗

1. Comes or goes down, drops, collapses, bows, or is overthrown. 2. Comes upon or enters a state or condition. 3. Of a lot or portion, is assigned or belongs. 4. In ‘falleth out,’ happens or occurs. 5. In ‘falleth to,’ yields or goes over to another side.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

another

↗

1. In "one another" and like reciprocal or distributive constructions, each the other, or one in relation to the other or others. 2. One other, one more, or a different or additional person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

help

↗

Sense 1: Aid, assistance, or relief. Sense 2: As a verb, to aid, assist, or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 4:11

COMBINED MEANING

again

↗

Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lie

↗

Sense 1: To recline, rest, remain, or be situated. Sense 2: In ‘lie with,’ to have sexual intercourse. Sense 3: To speak falsely. Sense 4: A false statement or deception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heat

↗

Sense 1: Warmth or high temperature. Sense 2: To make or become hot.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

warm

↗

Sense 1: Having heat. Sense 2: Becoming heated. Sense 3: As a verb, to make oneself or another warm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

alone

↗

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

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

4:9¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Selected passage

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.

Selected passage

4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Selected passage

4:12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.