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 was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, “And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task. 9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up! 11Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 word by word

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

• for if[כִּי] אם'im · if: exceptH518
• either of them fallsנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
• the oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• will liftקָמָיqûm · (Leb)-kamaiH6965
• his companionחָבֵרchâbêr · companionH2270
• But woeאִי'îy · woe!H337
• whoשֶׁלshel · whichH7945
• when thereאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
• anotherשֵׁנִיshênîy · secondH8145

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:10

• Exodus 32:2Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”
• Deuteronomy 9:19For I was afraid of the anger and the rage with which the Lord was angry with you so as to destroy you; but the Lord listened to me that time as well.
• 1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan, Saul’s son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.
• 2 Samuel 11:27When the time of mourning was over, David sent servants and had her brought to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.
• 2 Samuel 12:7Nathan then said to David, “You yourself are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘It is I who anointed you as king over Israel, and it is I who rescued you from the hand of Saul.
• Job 4:3Behold, you have taught many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
• Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the exhausted, and make the feeble strong.
• Luke 22:31“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you men like wheat;
• Galatians 2:11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
• Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
• Genesis 4:8Cain talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
• 2 Samuel 14:6And your servant had two sons, but the two of them fought in the field, and there was no one to save them from each other, so one struck the other and killed him.

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