Ecclesiastes 4:5

Ecclesiastes 4:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
• New International Version (NIV)Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:5

3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. 4Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless – like chasing the wind. The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. 6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind. 7So I again considered another futile thing on earth:

Ecclesiastes 4:5 word by word

הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• foldethחָבַקchâbaq · to embraceH2263
• his handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• and eatethאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• his own fleshבָּשָׂרbâώâr · fleshH1320

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Proverbs 6:10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax,
• Proverbs 12:27The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.
• Proverbs 13:4The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
• Proverbs 20:4The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.
• Proverbs 24:33“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax,
• Job 13:14Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?
• Proverbs 11:17A kind person benefits himself, but a cruel person brings himself trouble.
• Isaiah 9:20They devoured on the right, but were still hungry, they ate on the left, but were not satisfied. People even ate the flesh of their own arm!

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5The fool foldeth his hands - After all, without labor and industry no man can get any comfort in life; and he who gives way to idleness is the veriest of fools.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Foldeth his hands - The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (marginal references). Eateth his own flesh - i. e., “Destroys himself:” compare a similar expression in Isaiah 49:26; Psalm 27:2; Micah 3:3.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. 5-6Fools do not try to succeed and end up poor. Others work frantically, using all their time and effort, to chase temporary wealth they will not have time to enjoy (compare Proverbs 23:4–5). Wise people practice moderation and contentment (tranquility).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Still the fool (the wicked oppressor) is not to be envied even in this life, who "folds his hands together" in idleness (Pr 6:10; 24:33), living on the means he wrongfully wrests from others; for such a one eateth his own flesh--that is, is a self-tormentor, never satisfied, his spirit preying on itself (Is 9:20; 49:26).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Fool
• Idleness

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• Fold; Folding
• Fool; Folly
• 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