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Text -- Ecclesiastes 4:8-16 (NET)
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Strongs On/Off
Context
4:8 A man who is all alone with no companion , he has no children nor siblings ; yet there is no end to all his toil , and he is never satisfied with riches . He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure ?” This also is futile and a burdensome task !
Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared
4:9 Two people are better than one , because they can reap more benefit from their labor .
4:10 For if they fall , one will help his companion up , but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up .
4:11 Furthermore , if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm , but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken .
Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking
4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice .
4:14 For he came out of prison to become king , even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom .
4:15 I considered all the living who walk on earth , as well as the successor who would arise in his place .
4:16 There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations , yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind .
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Instruction |
Life |
Philosophy |
Union |
Friendship |
Fellowship |
Poor |
Cord |
Rulers |
Rope |
FELLOW |
Vanity |
BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFT |
Miser |
Thread |
LIFT |
WISDOM |
RICHES |
Anxiety |
Children |
more
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Ecc 4:8 The adjective רָע (ra’, “evil”) here means “misfortune” (HALOT 1263 s.v. רָעָ&...
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NET Notes: Ecc 4:12 The verbal root תקף means “to overpower; to prevail over” e.g., Job 14:20; 15:24; Eccl 4:12; 6:10 (HALOT 1786 s.v. ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 4:14 The phrase “what would become” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. However, it is not altogether cl...
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NET Notes: Ecc 4:15 The verb עָמַד (’amad, “to stand”) may denote “to arise; to appear; to come on the scene” ...
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