New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 4:5
5The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.
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 Living Translation (NLT)“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.”
Context of Ecclesiastes 4:5
3Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. 6Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
Read all of Ecclesiastes 4Ecclesiastes 4:5 word by word
הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:5
- Proverbs 6:10A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—
- Proverbs 12:27The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
- Proverbs 13:4The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
- Proverbs 20:4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
- Proverbs 24:33A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest;
- Job 13:14Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands?
- Proverbs 11:17The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
- Isaiah 9:20And he shall snatch on the right hand And be hungry; He shall devour on the left hand And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his 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
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