Ecclesiastes 4:5

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 King James Version (NKJV)The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

Context of Ecclesiastes 4:5

3yea, better than them both did I esteem him which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind. 7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:5 word by word

הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• fleshבָּשָׂרbâώâr · fleshH1320

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:5

• Proverbs 6:10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
• Proverbs 12:27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
• Proverbs 13:4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
• Proverbs 20:4The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
• Proverbs 24:33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
• Job 13:14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
• Proverbs 11:17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
• Isaiah 9:20And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man 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

• Fool
• Idleness

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Threefold
• Fold; Folding
• Fool; Folly
• 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