Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Ecclesiastes 4:5 in other translations
| BSB | The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. |
|---|---|
| WEB | The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself. |
| ASV | The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. |
| YLT | The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh: |
| DARBY | The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. |
| BBE | The foolish man, folding his hands, takes the flesh of his body for food. |
| Webster | The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. |
What does Ecclesiastes 4:5 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay…
Ecclesiastes 4:5 in the original Hebrew
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Cross references for Ecclesiastes 4:5
- Isaiah 9:20
And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
- Proverbs 6:10-11
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
- Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
- Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
- Job 13:14
Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
- Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
- Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- Proverbs 24:33-34
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Ecclesiastes 4:4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
- Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:5 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | El necio dobla sus manos y come su carne. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Le sot se croise les mains, et mange sa propre chair. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Der Tor faltet seine Hände und verzehrt sein eigenes Fleisch. - |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Stultus complicat manus suas, et comedit carnes suas, dicens: |