Tree of Life Version
Ecclesiastes 4:5
5The fool folds his hands together and eats 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 King James Version (NKJV)The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.
Context of Ecclesiastes 4:5
3Yet better than both is one who has not yet been, who has never seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4Then I saw that all toil and all skill that is done come from man’s envy of his neighbor; this too is fleeting and striving after the wind. The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh. 6Better is a handful with tranquility than two handfuls of toil and striving after the wind. 7Again I saw something futile 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 12:27A lazy person does not roast his game, but a diligent person prizes his possessions.
- Proverbs 13:4The slacker’s soul craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent soul will be satisfied.
- Proverbs 20:4A slacker will not plow in season, so at harvest he looks but finds nothing.
- Proverbs 24:33“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,”
- Job 13:14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and take my life in my hands?
- Proverbs 11:17A kind man does his own soul good, but a cruel man harms his own flesh.
- Isaiah 9:20Manasseh will devour Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasseh, both are against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, yet His hand is outstretched.
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
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