Ecclesiastes 4:12

Ecclesiastes 4:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• New International Version (NIV)Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:12

10For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 word by word

וְאִֽם־יִתְקְפוֹ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם יַעַמְד֣וּ נֶגְדּ֑וֹ וְהַחוּט֙ הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ לֹ֥א בִמְהֵרָ֖ה יִנָּתֵֽק׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And if oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• prevailתָּקֵףtâqaph · to prevailH8630
• against him, twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• shall withstandעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
• him; and a threefoldשָׁלַשׁshâlash · to do threeH8027
• cordחוּטchûţ · threadH2339
• is not quicklyמְהֵרָהmehêrâh · hasteH4120
• brokenנָתַקnâthaq · to tearH5423

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:12

• 2 Samuel 23:9And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.
• Daniel 3:16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
• Ephesians 4:3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:12

• 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. 1212. one--enemy. threefold cord--proverbial for a combination of many--for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken."Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:12

• Cord
• Fellowship
• Friendship
• Rope
• Union

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Prison
• Threefold
• Fillet
• 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