Ecclesiastes 4:4

Ecclesiastes 4:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
• New International Version (NIV)And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:4

2So I commended the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. 3But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 5The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 word by word

וְרָאִ֨יתִֽי אֲנִ֜י אֶת־כָּל־עָמָ֗ל וְאֵת֙ כָּל־כִּשְׁר֣וֹן הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה כִּ֛י הִ֥יא קִנְאַת־אִ֖ישׁ מֵרֵעֵ֑הוּ גַּם־זֶ֥ה הֶ֖בֶל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Again, I consideredרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• all travailעָמָל‛âmâl · troubleH5999
• and every rightכִּשְׁרוֹןkishrôn · skillH3788
• workמַעֲשֶׂהma‛ăώeh · deed: workH4639
• that for this a manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• is enviedקִנְאָהqin'âh · jealousyH7068
• of his neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• also vanityהֶ֫בֶלhebel hăbêl · vanityH1892
• and vexationרְעוּתre‛ûth · longingH7469
• of spiritרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:4

• Genesis 4:4And Abel also presented an offering — some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
• Genesis 37:2These are the family records of Jacob. At seventeen years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.
• 1 Samuel 18:8Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?”
• Proverbs 27:4Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
• Matthew 27:18For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
• Acts 7:9“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him
• James 4:5Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?
• 1 John 3:12unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.
• Ecclesiastes 3:16I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness.
• Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
• Ecclesiastes 2:21When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.
• Ecclesiastes 6:9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
• Genesis 37:4When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For this a man is envied - It is not by injustice and wrong only that men suffer, but through envy also. For if a man act uprightly and properly in the world, he soon becomes the object of his neighbor's envy and calumny too. Therefore the encouragement to do good, to act an upright part, is very little. This constitutes a part of the vain and empty system of human life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Every right work - Rather, every success in work. For this … - i. e., “This successful work makes the worker an object of envy.” Some understand the meaning to be, “this work is the effect of the rivalry of man with his neighbor.”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. 4Most people are driven to succeed by competition. Since the rewards have no real value, the Teacher suggests moderation (Ecclesiastes 4:5–6) instead of envy.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. right--rather, "prosperous" (see on Ec 2:21). Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ec 4:1) and "envy," so far is it from constituting the chief good.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:4

• Envy
• Jealousy
• Vanity

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• Right
• Skill; Skilful
• 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