Ecclesiastes 4 · Verse 12

Ecclesiastes 4:12

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 4:12 in other translations

BSBAnd though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
WEBIf a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
ASVAnd if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
YLTAnd if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.
DARBYAnd if a man overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
BBEAnd two attacked by one would be safe, and three cords twisted together are not quickly broken.
WebsterAnd if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

What does Ecclesiastes 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. one--enemy. threefold cord--proverbial for a combination of many--for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken."

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 4:12 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.

וְאִֽם\־ve.'im-and thoughH518
יִתְקְפוֹ֙yit.ke.Fosomeone will overpower himH8630
הָאֶחָ֔דha.'e.Chadthe one [person]H259
הַשְּׁנַ֖יִםha.she.Na.yimthe two [people]H8147
יַעַמְד֣וּya.'am.Duthey will standH5975
נֶגְדּ֑וֹneg.Dobefore himH5048
וְהַחוּט֙ve.ha.Chutand the threadH2339
הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁham.shu.Lash<the> threefoldH8027
לֹ֥אlo'notH3808
בִמְהֵרָ֖הvim.he.Rah<in> quicklyH4120
יִנָּתֵֽק\׃yi.na.Tekit will be torn apartH5423

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

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 4:12

  • Ephesians 4:3

    Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  • Daniel 3:16-17

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
And if.This is well illustrated by the fable of the dying father, who, to shew his sons the advantages of union, gave them a bundle of twigs, which could not be broken when bound together, but were easily snapped asunder one by one.
and a.
2Sa 23:9,16,18,19,23; Da 3:16,17; Eph 4:3

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:13

    Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y si alguno prevaleciere contra el uno, dos estarán contra él; y cordón de tres dobleces no presto se rompe.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et si quelqu’un a le dessus sur un seul, les deux lui tiendront tête; et la corde triple ne se rompt pas vite.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und wenn jemand den einzelnen gewalttätig angreift, so werden ihm die zwei widerstehen; und eine dreifache Schnur zerreißt nicht so bald.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et si quispiam prævaluerit contra unum, duo resistunt ei; funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur.