Ecclesiastes 4:6

Ecclesiastes 4:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
• New International Version (NIV)Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:6

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. 5The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy]. One 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]. 8There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 word by word

ט֕וֹב מְלֹ֥א כַ֖ף נָ֑חַת מִמְּלֹ֥א חָפְנַ֛יִם עָמָ֖ל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• an handfulכַּףkaph · palmH3709
• quietnessנַ֫חַתnachath · quietnessH5183
• than both the handsחֹ֫פֶןchôphen · palmH2651
• fullמְלֹאmelô' melô' melô · fullnessH4393
• travailעָמָל‛âmâl · troubleH5999
• and vexationרְעוּתre‛ûth · longingH7469
• of spiritרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:6

• Psalms 37:16Better is the little of the righteous [who seek the will of God] Than the abundance (riches) of many wicked (godless).
• Proverbs 15:16Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Than great treasure and trouble with it.
• Proverbs 16:8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income [gained] with injustice.
• Proverbs 17:1Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Better 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 labors 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6Either the fool‘s sarcasm on his successful but restless neighbor; or the comment of Solomon recommending contentment with a moderate competence. The former meaning seems preferable.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. 66. Hebrew; "One open hand (palm) full of quietness, than both closed hands full of travail." "Quietness" (mental tranquillity flowing from honest labor), opposed to "eating one's own flesh" (Ec 4:5), also opposed to anxious labor to gain (Ec 4:8; Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:6

• Contentment
• Peace
• Poor
• Poverty

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• Handful
• Synagogue, the Great
• Travail

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