Ecclesiastes 4:12 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

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

Ecclesiastes 4:12

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

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.

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

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

Better {is} a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. {who...: Heb. who knoweth not to be admonished}

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also {he that is} born in his kingdom becometh poor.

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Ecclesiastes 4:1

"So I returned, and considered 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. {side: Heb. hand}"

Ecclesiastes 4:2

"Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive."

Ecclesiastes 4:3

"Yea, better {is he} than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun."

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. {every...: Heb. all the rightness of work} {for this...: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour}"

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."

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