Ecclesiastes 4:12

Ecclesiastes 4:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• New International Version (NIV)Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:12

10If 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? A 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. 13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. 14Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 word by word

וְאִֽם־יִתְקְפוֹ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם יַעַמְד֣וּ נֶגְדּ֑וֹ וְהַחוּט֙ הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ לֹ֥א בִמְהֵרָ֖ה יִנָּתֵֽק׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And if oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• prevailתָּקֵףtâqaph · to prevailH8630
• against him, twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• shall withstandעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
• him; and a threefoldשָׁלַשׁshâlash · to do threeH8027
• cordחוּטchûţ · threadH2339
• is not quicklyמְהֵרָהmehêrâh · hasteH4120
• brokenנָתַקnâthaq · to tearH5423

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:12

• 2 Samuel 23:9Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled.
• Daniel 3:16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
• Ephesians 4:3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:12

• 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. 1212. one--enemy. threefold cord--proverbial for a combination of many--for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken."Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:12

• Cord
• Fellowship
• Friendship
• Rope
• Union

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Prison
• Threefold
• Fillet
• 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