Ecclesiastes — Chapter 4

I further observedafurther observed Cf. 3.16. all the oppression that goes on under the sun: the tears of the oppressed, with none to comfort them; and their oppressors’ power, with none to comfort them.

Then I accounted those who died long since more fortunate than those who are still living;

and happier than either are those who have not yet come into being and have never witnessed the miseries that go on under the sun.

I have also noted that all labor and skillful enterprise come from people’s envy of one another—another futility and pursuit of wind!

[True,]Fools fold their hands togetherbfold their hands together I.e., do not work; cf. Prov. 6.10; 24.33. And have to eat their own flesh.

[But no less truly,]Better is a handful of gratificationThan two fistfuls of labor that is pursuit of wind.

And I have noted this further futility under the sun:

the case of a man who is alone, with no companion, who has neither son nor brother; yet he amasses wealth without limit, and his eye is never sated with riches. For whom, now, is he amassing it while denying himselfcis he amassing it while denying himself Lit. “am I amassing … myself.” enjoyment? That too is a futility and an unhappy business.

dThis section consists of a series of observations, each of which is introduced by some slight association with what precedes. The theme of 4.4–8 is resumed with 5.9. Two are better off than one, in that they have greater benefit fromebenefit from Emendation yields “hope for”; cf. 2.20. their earnings.

For should they fall, one can raise the other; but woe to someone who is alone and falls with no companion to assist!

Further, when two lie together they are warm; but how can someone who is alone get warm?

Also, if someone attacks, two can withstand it. A threefold cord is not readily broken!

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer has the sense to heed warnings.

For the former can emerge from a dungeon to become king; while the latter, even if born to kingship, can become a pauper.fbecome a pauper Taking rash as a verb; cf. Ps. 34.11.

[However,] I reflected about all the living who walk under the sun withgwho walk under the sun with I.e., are contemporaries of. that youthful successorhthat youthful successor Or: “the next youngster,” i.e., whoever comes in line to displace the youth mentioned in v. 13. who steps into his place.

Unnumbered are the multitudes of all those who preceded them;ithose who preceded them And so never heard of the gifted youth. and later generations will not acclaim him either.jlater generations will not acclaim him either For despite his wisdom, he too will be forgotten; cf. 2.16. For thatkthat Namely, the advantage of wisdom over folly. too is futile and pursuit of wind.

Be not overeager to golBe not overeager to go Lit. “Guard your foot when it [or, you] would go.” to the House of God: more acceptable is obedience than the offering of fools, for they know nothing [but] to do wrong.