Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 4
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ecclesiastes 4
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ecclesiastes 4
"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." — Ecclesiastes 4:1 (ASV)
So I returned, and considered - Rather, And I returned and saw. He turns to look upon other phenomena, and to test his previous conclusion by them.
Oppressed - See the introduction to Ecclesiastes.
"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." — Ecclesiastes 4:4 (ASV)
Every right work - Rather, every success in work.
For this ... - i. e., “This successful work makes the worker an object of envy.” Some understand the meaning to be, “this work is the effect of the rivalry of man with his neighbor.”
"The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh." — Ecclesiastes 4:5 (ASV)
Folds his hands - The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (marginal references).
Eats his own flesh - that is, “Destroys himself:” compare a similar expression in Isaiah 49:26; Psalms 27:2; Micah 3:3.
"Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind." — Ecclesiastes 4:6 (ASV)
Either the fool’s sarcasm on his successful but restless neighbor; or the comment of Solomon recommending contentment with a moderate competence. The former meaning seems preferable.
"Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 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. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 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. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]? And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (ASV)
The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation (Ecclesiastes 4:8).
A second—anyone associated or connected with him (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.”
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