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

8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. 9Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord 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 32:2So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”
• Deuteronomy 9:19I feared that the furious anger of the Lord, which turned him against you, would drive him to destroy you. But again he listened to me.
• 1 Samuel 23:16Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
• 2 Samuel 11:27When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.
• 2 Samuel 12:7Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul.
• Job 4:3“In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak.
• Isaiah 35:3With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.
• Luke 22:31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
• Galatians 2:11But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.
• Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18So encourage each other with these words.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
• Genesis 4:8One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
• 2 Samuel 14:6My two sons had a fight out in the field. And since no one was there to stop it, one of them was killed.

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