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Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 16 Verses

What is Ecclesiastes 4 about?

Qohelet's quest for meaning "under the sun" — the vanity of earthly pursuits and the conclusion to fear God and keep his commands. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Then I returned and saw 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.
2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
3yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
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 labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, 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 labor.
10For 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.
13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
14For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
← Ecclesiastes 3Ecclesiastes 5 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun, etc.] The wise man, according to Aben Ezra, returned from the thought, which he had expressed in the latter part of the preceding chapter, that it was good for a man to rejoice in his works, and called it in; since he could not rejoice, when he considered the oppression and violence that were in the world; but it does not appear that he did call it in, for he afterwards repeats it: or rather he returns to his former subject, the abuse of power and authority, mentioned (<210316>Ecclesiastes 3:16); and from whence he had digressed a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Ecc. 4:1-16) returned--namely, to the thought set forth (Ecc 3:16; Job 35:9). power--MAURER, not so well, "violence." no comforter--twice said to express continued suffering without any to give comfort (Isa 53:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“So I returned, and considered - Rather, And I returned and saw. He turns to look upon other phenomena, and to test his previous conclusion by them. Oppressed - See the introduction to Ecclesiastes. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“I returned - I considered again. Oppressions - Whether by princes, magistrates, or other potent persons. No comforter - None afforded them pity or succour. But they, &c. - No comfort therein. Ecclesiastes 4:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1 all the oppression: Abuse is rampant at many levels in society—in family, religion, the workplace, government, and foreign powers.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“I returned: Job 6:29; Mal 3:18 and considered: Ecc 3:16, Ecc 5:8, Ecc 7:7; Exo 1:13, Exo 1:14, Exo 1:16, Exo 1:22, Exo 2:23, Exo 2:24, Exo 5:16-19; Deu 28:33, Deu 28:48; Jdg 4:3, Jdg 10:7, Jdg 10:8; Neh 5:1-5; Job 24:7-12; Psa 10:9, Psa 10:10; Pro 28:3, Pro 28:15, Pro 28:16; Isa 5:7, Isa 51:23, Isa 59:7, Isa 59:13-15; Mal 3:5 the tears: Psa 42:3, Psa 42:9, Psa 80:5, Psa 102:8, Psa 102:9; Mal 2:13; Jam 5:4 they had: Job 16:4, Job 19:21, Job 19:22; Psa 69:20, Psa 142:4; Pro 19:7; Lam 1:2, Lam 1:9; Mat 26:56; Ti2 4:16, Ti2 4:17 side: Heb. hand Ecclesiastes 4:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“"And again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold there the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors goeth forth violence; and they have no comforter." Incorrectly Hahn: And anew I saw, - the observation is different from that of Ecc 3:16, though cognate. Thus: And again I saw, - the expression follows the syntactic scheme of Gen 26:18; regarding the fut. consec. brought into view here and at Ecc 4:7. The second העשׁ is part. pass.; the first, as at Job 35:9, and also at Amo 3:9, is abstract (i.e., bringing the many separate instances…”
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