Bible/Ecclesiastes/4

Ecclesiastes 4:1

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. side: Heb. hand

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Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

What does Ecclesiastes 4:1 mean?

Ecclesiastes 4:1 is a verse in the book of Ecclesiastes, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שׁוּב (shûwb), רָאָה (râʼâh), עָשׁוּק (ʻâshûwq). It connects to 19 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

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So
I
returned,שׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
and
consideredרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
all
the
oppressionsעָשׁוּקʻâshûwq/aw-shook'/H6217used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny
that
are
doneעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
under
the
sun:שֶׁמֶשׁshemesh/sheh'-mesh/H8121the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
and
behold
the
tearsדִּמְעָהdimʻâh/dim-aw'/H1832weeping
of
such
as
were
oppressed,עָשַׁקʻâshaq/aw-shak'/H6231to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
and
they
had
no
comforter;נָחַםnâcham/naw-kham'/H5162properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)
and
on
the
sideיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
of
their
oppressorsעָשַׁקʻâshaq/aw-shak'/H6231to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
there
was
power;כֹּחַkôach/ko'-akh/H3581vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
but
they
had
no
comforter.נָחַםnâcham/naw-kham'/H5162properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)
side:
Heb.
hand

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1

HENRY_FULL · Ecclesiastes 4:1
of them to his word of promise. 6. The perpetuity of them. These observations are intermixed, ver. 2-9 . III. He recommends the holy fear of God, and conscientious obedience to his commands, as the most acceptable way of praising God, ver. 10 . The Excellence of the Divine Works. 1 Praise ye the Lord . I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. The title of th

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Job 5:9

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: unsearchable: Heb. there is no search without: Heb. till there be no number

Job 9:10

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Job 26:12

He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. the proud: Heb. pride

Job 37:7

He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

Job 38:1

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Job 41:1

Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? leviathan: That is, a whale or a whirlepoole which: Heb. which thou drownest?

Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Proverbs 18:1

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. Through: or, He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business

Proverbs 18:2

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Proverbs 24:14

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: too: or, hid from thee

Daniel 4:3

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

Romans 1:28

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; to retain: or, to acknowledge a reprobate: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. to be carnally: Gr. the minding of the flesh to be spiritually: Gr. the minding of the Spirit

Ephesians 1:19

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power

Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:10

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Revelation 15:3

Topics

Affliction, Consolation UnderAfflictions and AdversitiesOppressionRulers

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Ecclesiastes 4:1.

Genesis 1:12

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:25

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:31

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 6:6

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Genesis 6:7

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. both: Heb. from man unto beast

Frequently asked questions

What does Ecclesiastes 4:1 say?

Ecclesiastes 4:1 (King James Version) reads: "So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. side: Heb. hand"

Is Ecclesiastes 4:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Ecclesiastes 4:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Reflect

As you read Ecclesiastes 4:1, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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