Ecclesiastes 4:5

Ecclesiastes 4:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
• New International Version (NIV)Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:5

3But better off than either of them is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. 4I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind. The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy]. 6One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind. 7Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].

Ecclesiastes 4:5 word by word

הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• foldethחָבַקchâbaq · to embraceH2263
• his handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• and eatethאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• his own fleshבָּשָׂרbâώâr · fleshH1320

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Proverbs 6:10“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—
• Proverbs 12:27The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey, But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].
• Proverbs 13:4The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
• Proverbs 20:4The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives; So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
• Proverbs 24:33“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”
• Job 13:14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my hands [incurring the wrath of God]?
• Proverbs 11:17The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him], But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
• Isaiah 9:20They slice off [in discord] what is on the right hand but are still hungry, And they eat what is on the left hand but they are not satisfied; Each eats the flesh of his own arm.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5The fool foldeth his hands - After all, without labor and industry no man can get any comfort in life; and he who gives way to idleness is the veriest of fools.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Foldeth his hands - The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (marginal references). Eateth his own flesh - i. e., “Destroys himself:” compare a similar expression in Isaiah 49:26; Psalm 27:2; Micah 3:3.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-6Verses 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 and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-6Fools do not try to succeed and end up poor. Others work frantically, using all their time and effort, to chase temporary wealth they will not have time to enjoy (compare Proverbs 23:4–5). Wise people practice moderation and contentment (tranquility).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Still the fool (the wicked oppressor) is not to be envied even in this life, who "folds his hands together" in idleness (Pr 6:10; 24:33), living on the means he wrongfully wrests from others; for such a one eateth his own flesh--that is, is a self-tormentor, never satisfied, his spirit preying on itself (Is 9:20; 49:26).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Fool
• Idleness

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• Fold; Folding
• Fool; Folly
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings