Ecclesiastes 4:9

Ecclesiastes 4:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
• New International Version (NIV)Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
• English Standard Version (ESV)Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:9

7And I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 8There is one [alone] and without a second; also he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, and [he saith not], For whom then am I labouring, and depriving my soul of good? This also is vanity and a grievous occupation. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up! 11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?

Ecclesiastes 4:9 word by word

טוֹבִ֥ים הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם מִן־הָאֶחָ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יֵשׁ־לָהֶ֛ם שָׂכָ֥ר ט֖וֹב בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃Read the interlinear

• Twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• rewardשָׂכָרώâkâr · wagesH7939

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:9

• Genesis 2:18And Jehovah Elohim said, It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate, his like.
• Exodus 4:14Then the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also behold, he goeth out to meet thee; and when he seeth thee he will be glad in his heart.
• Numbers 11:14I am not able to bear all this people alone, for it is too heavy for me.
• Proverbs 27:17Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
• Haggai 1:14And Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked at the house of Jehovah of hosts, their God,
• Mark 6:7And he calls the twelve to [him]; and he began to send them out two [and] two, and gave to them power over the unclean spirits;
• Acts 13:2And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
• Acts 15:39There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus;
• 1 Corinthians 12:18But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased [him].
• Ruth 2:12Jehovah recompense thy work, and let thy reward be full from Jehovah the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.
• John 4:36He that reaps receives wages and gathers fruit unto life eternal, that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.
• 2 John 1:8See to yourselves, that we may not lose what we have wrought, but may receive full wages.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Two are better than one - Married life is infinitely to be preferred to this kind of life, for the very reasons alleged below, and which require no explanation.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7-12Verses 7-12 The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation. Ecclesiastes 4:8 A second - Any one associated or connected with him. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-12Verses 9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises. Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-12Two are better than one: The solitary man (Ecclesiastes 4:8) reminds us of the benefits of partnerships in business and personal life.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. Two--opposed to "one" (Ec 4:8). Ties of union, marriage, friendship, religious communion, are better than the selfish solitariness of the miser (Ge 2:18). reward--Advantage accrues from their efforts being conjoined. The Talmud says, "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:9

• Fellowship
• Friendship
• Union

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• 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