Ecclesiastes 4:10

Ecclesiastes 4:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
• New International Version (NIV)If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For 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!
• New King James Version (NKJV)For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:10

8There are people who are all alone. They have no children or other family members. So there is no end to all the hard work they have to do. Their eyes are never satisfied with riches. But ⌞they never ask themselves⌟ why they are working so hard and depriving themselves of good things. Even this is pointless and a terrible tragedy. 9Two people are better than one because ⌞together⌟ they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is ⌞all⌟ alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. 11Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm? 12Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 word by word

כִּ֣י אִם־יִפֹּ֔לוּ הָאֶחָ֖ד יָקִ֣ים אֶת־חֲבֵר֑וֹ וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ הָֽאֶחָד֙ שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹל וְאֵ֥ין שֵׁנִ֖י לַהֲקִימֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For if they fallנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
• the oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• will lift upקוּםqûm · to arise: raiseH6965
• his fellowחָבֵרchâbêr · companionH2270
• but woeאִי'îy · woe!H337
• not anotherשֵׁנִיshênîy · secondH8145

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:10

• Exodus 32:2Aaron said to them, “Have your wives, sons, and daughters take off the gold earrings they are wearing, and bring them to me.”
• Deuteronomy 9:19I was terrified of the Lord’s anger and fury. He was so angry he wanted to destroy you. But once more the Lord listened to me.
• 1 Samuel 23:16Saul’s son Jonathan came to David at Horesh. He strengthened David’s ⌞faith⌟ in the Lord.
• 2 Samuel 11:27When her mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his home, and she became his wife. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord considered David’s actions evil.
• 2 Samuel 12:7“You are the man!” Nathan told David. “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I anointed you king over Israel and rescued you from Saul.
• Job 4:3Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong.
• Isaiah 35:3Strengthen limp hands. Steady weak knees.
• Luke 22:31⌞Then the Lord said,⌟ “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you apostles for himself. He wants to separate you from me as a farmer separates wheat from husks.
• Galatians 2:11When Cephas came to Antioch, I had to openly oppose him because he was completely wrong.
• Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18So then, comfort each other with these words!
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
• Genesis 4:8Cain talked to his brother Abel. Later, when they were in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
• 2 Samuel 14:6I had two sons who quarreled in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One killed the other.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:10

• 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. 1010. if they fall--if the one or other fall, as may happen to both, namely, into any distress of body, mind, or soul.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:10

• Fellowship
• Friendship
• Union

In the dictionaries

• Fall, the
• Prison
• Threefold
• Fellow
• Lift
• 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