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PARALLEL BIBLE - Ecclesiastes 4:5


CHAPTERS: Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12     

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King James Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:5

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

World English Bible

The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

Douay-Rheims - Ecclesiastes 4:5

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:

Webster's Bible Translation

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

Original Hebrew

הכסיל
3684 חבק 2263 את 853 ידיו 3027 ואכל 398 את 853 בשׂרו׃ 1320

Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

VERSE (5) -
Pr 6:10,11; 12:27; 13:4; 20:4; 24:33,34

SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:5

El loco dobla sus manos y come su misma carne.

Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:6

Verse 6. Better is a handful with quietness - These may be the words of the
slothful man, and spoken in vindication of his idleness; as if he had said, "Every man who labours and amasses property is the object of envy, and is marked by the oppressor as a subject for spoil; better, therefore, to act as I do; gain little, and have little, and enjoy my handful with quietness." Or the words may contain Solomon's reflection on the subject.

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Ver. 6. Better [is] a handful [with] quietness , etc.] These are the words of the
fool, according to Aben Ezra; and which is the sense of other interpreters, particularly Mr. Broughton, who connects this verse with ( Ecclesiastes 4:5) by adding at the end of that the word “saying”; making an excuse or an apology for himself and conduct, from the use and profitableness of his sloth; that little had with ease, and without toil and labour, is much better than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit ; than large possessions gotten with a great deal of trouble, and enjoyed with much vexation and uneasiness; in which he mistakes slothful ease for true quietness; calls honest labour and industry travail and vexation; and supposes that true contentment lies in the enjoyment of little, and cannot be had where there is much; whereas it is to be found in a good man in every state: or else these words express the true sentiments of Solomon’s mind, steering between the two extremes of slothfulness, and too toilsome labour to be rich; that it is much more eligible to have a competency, though it is but small, with a good conscience, with tranquillity of mind, with the love and fear of God, and a contented heart, than to have a large estate, with great trouble and fatigue in getting and keeping it, especially with discontent and uneasiness; and this agrees with what the wise man says elsewhere, ( Proverbs 15:16,17 17:1). The Targum is, “better to a man is a handful of food with quietness of soul, and without robbery and rapine, than two handfuls of food with robbery and rapine;” or with what is gotten in an ill way.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Miseries from oppression. (Eccl. 4:1-3)
troubles from envy. (Eccl 4:4-6) The folly of covetousness. (Eccl. 4:7,8) The advantages of mutual assistance. (Eccl. 4:9-12) the changes of royalty. (Eccl 4:13-16)

Eccl. 4:1-3 It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and miser of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. But good man, though badly off while in this world, cannot have cause to wish he had never been born, since he is glorifying the Lord, even in the fires, and will be happy at last, for ever happy. Ungodly men have most cause to wish the continuance of life with all its vexations, as far more miserable condition awaits them if they die in their sins. I human and worldly things were our chief good, not to exist would be preferable to life, considering the various oppressions here below.

Eccl. 4:4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great an prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction i sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not wan necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only creat vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

Eccl. 4:7,8 Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man care for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he wil scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs. He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favour of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life. The distant relations or strangers who inherit such a man's wealth, neve thank him. Covetousness gathers strength by time and habit; me tottering on the brink of the grave, grow more grasping and griping Alas, and how often do we see men professing to be followers of Him who, "though he was rich, for our sakes became poor," anxiousl scraping money together and holding it fast, excusing themselves by common-place talking about the necessity of care, and the danger of extravagance!

Eccl. 4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours har to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendl reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises. Then let us improv our opportunities of Christian fellowship. In these things all is no vanity, though there will be some alloy as long as we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Chris will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.

Eccl. 4:13-16 People are never long easy and satisfied; they are fon of changes. This is no new thing. Princes see themselves slighted by those they have studied to oblige; this is vanity and vexation of spirit. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoic in him alone, and they will love Him more and more to all eternity __________________________________________________________________


Original Hebrew

הכסיל 3684 חבק 2263 את 853 ידיו 3027 ואכל 398 את 853 בשׂרו׃ 1320


CHAPTERS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
VERSES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

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