Ecclesiastes 4 · Verse 10

Ecclesiastes 4:10

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.
Ecclesiastes 4:10, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 4:10 in other translations

BSBFor if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
WEBFor if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
ASVFor 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.
YLTFor if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!
DARBYFor if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and who hath not another to lift him up!
BBEAnd if one has a fall, the other will give him a hand; but unhappy is the man who is by himself, because he has no helper.
WebsterFor 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 to rise.

What does Ecclesiastes 4:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. if they fall--if the one or other fall, as may happen to both, namely, into any distress of body, mind, or soul.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

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…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 →

Ecclesiastes 4:10 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּ֣יkithatH3588
אִם\־'im-exceptH518
יִפֹּ֔לוּyi.Po.luthey will fall downH5307
הָאֶחָ֖דha.'e.Chadthe oneH259
יָקִ֣יםya.Kimhe will raiseH6965
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
חֲבֵר֑וֹcha.ve.Rocompanion hisH2270
וְאִ֣יל֗וֹve.'I.Loand woe! to <the> himH337
הָֽאֶחָד֙ha.'e.Chadthe oneH259
שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹלshei.yi.Polwho <he> will fall downH5307
וְאֵ֥יןve.'Einand there notH369
שֵׁנִ֖יshe.Ni[is] a second [person]H8145
לַהֲקִימֽוֹ\׃la.ha.ki.Moto raise himH6965

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 4:10

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:18

    Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  • Galatians 6:1

    Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  • Isaiah 35:3-4

    Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

  • Job 4:3-4

    Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

  • 1 Samuel 23:16

    And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

  • Luke 22:31-32

    And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
if.
Ex 32:2-4,21; De 9:19,20; 1Sa 23:16; 2Sa 11:27; 12:7-14; Job 4:3,4
Isa 35:3,4; Lu 22:31,32; Ga 2:11-14; 6:1; 1Th 4:18; 5:11
but.
Ge 4:8; 2Sa 14:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9

    Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:10

    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.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:11

    Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque si cayeren, el uno levantará á su compañero: mas ¡ay del solo! que cuando cayere, no habrá segundo que lo levante.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car, s’ils tombent, l’un relèvera son compagnon; mais malheur à celui qui est seul, et qui tombe, et qui n’a pas de second pour le relever!
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn wenn sie fallen, so richtet der eine seinen Genossen auf. Wehe aber dem einzelnen, welcher fällt, ohne daß ein zweiter da ist, um ihn aufzurichten!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si unus ceciderit, ab altero fulcietur. Væ soli, quia cum ceciderit, non habet sublevantem se.