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

8There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm alone? 12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 word by word

כִּ֣י אִם־יִפֹּ֔לוּ הָאֶחָ֖ד יָקִ֣ים אֶת־חֲבֵר֑וֹ וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ הָֽאֶחָד֙ שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹל וְאֵ֥ין שֵׁנִ֖י לַהֲקִימֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• if[כִּי] אם'im · if: exceptH518
• fallנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
• liftקָמָיqûm · (Leb)-kamaiH6965
• woeאִי'îy · woe!H337
• aloneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• notאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:10

• Exodus 32:2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
• Deuteronomy 9:19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me that time also.
• 1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
• 2 Samuel 11:27And when the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
• 2 Samuel 12:7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
• Job 4:3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
• Isaiah 35:3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
• Luke 22:31Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
• Galatians 2:11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.
• Galatians 6:1Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
• Genesis 4:8And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
• 2 Samuel 14:6And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote 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

• 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