Ecclesiastes 4:7 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 4:7

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

Better {is} an handful {with} quietness, than both the hands full {with} travail and vexation of spirit.

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

There is one {alone}, and {there is} not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet {is there} no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither {saith he}, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This {is} also vanity, yea, it {is} a sore travail.

Two {are} better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

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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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