Ecclesiastes 4 · Verse 11

Ecclesiastes 4:11

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Ecclesiastes 4:11, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 4:11 in other translations

BSBAgain, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?
WEBAgain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
ASVAgain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
YLTAlso, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?
DARBYAgain, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one alone be warm?
BBESo again, if two are sleeping together they are warm, but how may one be warm by himself?
WebsterAgain, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

What does Ecclesiastes 4:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. (See on 1Ki 1:1). The image is taken from man and wife, but applies universally to the warm sympathy derived from social ties. So Christian ties (Lu 24:32; Ac 28:15).

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 4:11 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.

גַּ֛םgamalsoH1571
אִם\־'im-ifH518
יִשְׁכְּב֥וּyish.ke.Vuthey will lie downH7901
שְׁנַ֖יִםshe.Na.yimtwo [people]H8147
וְחַ֣םve.Chamand it will be warmH2552
לָהֶ֑םla.Hemto <the> them
וּלְאֶחָ֖דu.le.'e.Chadand to one [person]H259
אֵ֥יךְ'eikhhow?H349
יֵחָֽם\׃ye.Chamwill it be warmH2552

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

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 4:11

  • 1 Kings 1:1-4

    Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 1:1,2

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

Context

  • 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?

  • Ecclesiastes 4:12

    And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		También si dos durmieren juntos, se calentarán; mas ¿cómo se calentará uno solo?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		De même, si l’on couche à deux, on a de la chaleur; mais celui qui est seul, comment aura-t-il chaud?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Auch wenn zwei beieinander liegen, so werden sie warm; der einzelne aber, wie will er warm werden?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et si dormierint duo, fovebuntur mutuo; unus quomodo calefiet?