Ecclesiastes 4
1 Vanity is increased unto men by oppression;
4 by envy;
5 by idleness;
7 by covetousness;
9 by solitariness;
13 by wilfulness.
again <07725> [I returned.]
considered <07200> [and considered.]
tears <01832> [the tears.]
comforting ..... delivers <05162> [they had.]
<03027> [side. Heb. hand.]
better <02896> [better.]
seen <07200> [who.]
skillful <03788> [every, etc. Heb. all the rightness of work, that this is the envy of man from his neighbour.]
[This is.]
fool <03684> [fool.]
eat <0398> [eateth.]
That is, with envy, (see ver. 4,) though too idle to follow his neighbour's example.
man ..... alone <0259> [one.]
children <01121> [he hath.]
end <07093> [no.]
he <05869> [is his.]
toiling <06001> [For.]
burdensome <07451> [it is.]
better ......... benefit <02896> [are.]
better ......... benefit <02896> [a good.]
fall ............. falls down <05307> [if.]
pity <0337> [but.]
one <0259> [And if.]
This is well illustrated by the fable of the dying father, who, to shew his sons the advantages of union, gave them a bundle of twigs, which could not be broken when bound together, but were easily snapped asunder one by one.
three-stranded <08027> [and a.]
poor <04542> [is a poor.]
knows .... receive <03045 02094> [will no more be. Heb. knoweth not to be.]
<0631> [For out.]
This is probably an allusion to some fact with which we are unacquainted. History furnishes many instances of mean persons raised to sovereign authority, and of kings being reduced to the meanest offices, and to a morsel. Agrippa mounted the throne of Israel after having been long in prison; and similar instances are not wanting in modern times.
born <03205> [also.]
successor <03206> [child.]
end <07093> [no end.]
<0314> [they also.]
profitless <01892> [this.]
