New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 4:10
10For 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.
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 Living Translation (NLT)If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Context of Ecclesiastes 4:10
8There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. 9Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 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. 11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 4Ecclesiastes 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.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:10
- Exodus 32:2And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings 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 hot displeasure with which the Lord was angry with you, to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me at that time also.
- 1 Samuel 23:16Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.
- 2 Samuel 11:27And when her mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
- 2 Samuel 12:7Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
- Job 4:3Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
- Luke 22:31And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
- Galatians 2:11Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;
- Galatians 6:1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
- Genesis 4:8Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
- 2 Samuel 14:6Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries