1 Then 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So I returned H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- and considered H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- all the oppressions H6217 (עָשׁוּק) — used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny
- that are done H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- and behold the tears H1832 (דִּמְעָה) — weeping
- oppressed H6231 (עָשַׁק) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
- and they had no comforter H5162 (נָחַם) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to av…
- and on the side H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- of their oppressors H6231 (עָשַׁק) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
- power H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
- but they had no comforter H5162 (נָחַם) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to av…
2 Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Wherefore I praised H7623 (שָׁבַח) — properly, to address in a loud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by words)
- the dead H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
- which are already H3528 (כְּבָר) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto
- dead H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
- more than the living H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- which are yet H5728 (עֲדֶן) — till now
- alive H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
3 yea, 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea, better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- than both H8147 (שְׁנַיִם) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
- they, which hath not yet H5728 (עֲדֶן) — till now
- been, who hath not seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- work H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- that is done H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
4 Then 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Again, I considered H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- all travail H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- and every right H3788 (כִּשְׁרוֹן) — success, advantage
- work H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- that for this a man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- is envied H7068 (קִנְאָה) — jealousy or envy
- of his neighbour H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
- also vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- foldeth H2263 (חָבַק) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
- his hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- together H2263 (חָבַק) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
- and eateth H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- his own flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- an handful H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
- quietness H5183 (נַחַת) — a descent, i.e. imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food); restfulness
- than both the hands H2651 (חֹפֶן) — a fist (only in the dual)
- full H4393 (מְלֹא) — fulness (literally or figuratively)
- travail H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then I returned H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- and I saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
8 There 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- There is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- not a second H8145 (שֵׁנִי) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
- yea, he hath neither child H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- nor brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- no end H7093 (קֵץ) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
- of all his labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- neither is his eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- satisfied H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
- with riches H6239 (עֹשֶׁר) — wealth
- For whom do I labour H6001 (עָמֵל) — toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful
- and bereave H2637 (חָסֵר) — to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen
- my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- of good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- also vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- a sore H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- travail H6045 (עִנְיָן) — ado, i.e. (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Two H8147 (שְׁנַיִם) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
- better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- than one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- because they have H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- a good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- reward H7939 (שָׂכָר) — payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
- for their labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
10 For 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For if they fall H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- the one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- will lift up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- his fellow H2270 (חָבֵר) — an associate
- but woe H337 (אִי) — alas!
- alone H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- when he falleth H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- not another H8145 (שֵׁנִי) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
- to help him up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Again H1571 (גַּם) — properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
- if two H8147 (שְׁנַיִם) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
- lie together H7901 (שָׁכַב) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
- then they have heat H2552 (חָמַם) — to be hot (literally or figuratively)
- but how can one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- be warm H3179 (יָחַם) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive
12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And if one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- prevail H8630 (תָּקַף) — to overpower
- against him, two H8147 (שְׁנַיִם) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
- shall withstand H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
- him; and a threefold H8027 (שָׁלַשׁ) — to be (causatively, make) triplicate (by restoration, in portions, strands, days or years)
- cord H2339 (חוּט) — a string; by implication, a measuring tape
- is not quickly H4120 (מְהֵרָה) — properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
- broken H5423 (נָתַק) — to tear off
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- a poor H4542 (מִסְכֵּן) — indigent
- and a wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- child H3206 (יֶלֶד) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
- than an old H2205 (זָקֵן) — old
- and foolish H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- who will H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- no more be admonished H2094 (זָהַר) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)
14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For out of prison H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- For out of prison H631 (אָסַר) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
- he cometh H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- to reign H4427 (מָלַךְ) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
- born H3205 (יָלַד) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
- in his kingdom H4438 (מַלְכוּת) — a rule; concretely, a dominion
- becometh poor H7326 (רוּשׁ) — to be destitute
15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I considered H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- all the living H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- which walk H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- with the second H8145 (שֵׁנִי) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
- child H3206 (יֶלֶד) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring
- that shall stand up H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
16 There 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- no end H7093 (קֵץ) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
- of all the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
- of all that have been before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- them: they also that come after H314 (אַחֲרוֹן) — hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
- shall not rejoice H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7475 (רַעְיוֹן) — desire
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…