Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:11

The first example of the advantage of companionship spoke of the aid and support that are thus given; the present verse tells of the comfort thus brought. If two lie together, then they have heat. The winter nights in Palestine are comparatively cold, and when, as in the case of the poorer inhabitants, the outer garment worn by day was used as the only blanket during sleep ( Exodus 22:26 , Exodus 22:27 ), it was a comfort to have the additional warmth of a friend lying under the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:12

The third instance shows the value of the protection afforded by a companion's presence when danger threatens. If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him ; better, if a man overpower the solitary one , the two ( Ecclesiastes 4:9 ) will withstand him . The idea of the traveler is continued. If he were attacked by robbers, he would be easily overpowered when alone; but two comrades might successfully resist the assault. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. This is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation.Ecclesiastes 4:8A second - Any one associated or connected with him.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Ecclesiastes 4:9. Two Or more, who live together in any kind of society, and join their powers together in pursuit of any important object; are better than one Act more cheerfully, and accomplish their designs more readily, than any of them could do in a solitary state; because they have a good reward for their labour Have great benefit by such combinations and conjunctions of their counsels and abilities, whereby they exceedingly support, encourage, and strengthen each other, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 . For, if they fall If one or more of them fall in any way; as into any mistakes, and errors, or sins, dangers, or distresses. The one will lift up his fellow Will hold him up, if he be falling, or raise him up, if he be fallen. If two lie together, then they have heat They will be sooner warm in a cold bed and a cold season. So virtuous and gracious affections are excited by good society; and Christians warm one another, by provoking one another to love and good... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

The uselessness of achievement (4:4-16)Several examples illustrate how useless much human activity is. Some people drive themselves in their work but can never relax and enjoy it, because they are always worrying about being ahead of everyone else. Others do not work at all and so ruin themselves. Both extremes should be avoided. People should work for a living and enjoy it, but they should not be so ambitious that they create trouble for themselves (4-6).Other unhappy people are those who... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 4:12

prevail against = overpower. Hebrew. takaph, supposed to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in Job 14:20 with Job 15:24 (the only three occurrences). See App-76 . a threefold cord. Compare Numbers 6:24-26 . Micah 6:8 . Titus 2:12 , Titus 2:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 with 1 Thessalonians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 1:10 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Ecclesiastes 4:9. Because they have a good reward— Because they have a better reward for their common labour. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:12

Ecclesiastes 4:12. And if one prevail against him, &c.— And though one should be strong, the two will make a stand against him; for a three-stringed cord shall not quickly be broken. Desvoeux. Houbigant renders it, But if one should be circumvented, and they two be present [to assist him] then the three-fold cord will not easily be broken. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:9

9. Two—opposed to "one" (Ecclesiastes 4:8). Ties of union, marriage, friendship, religious communion, are better than the selfish solitariness of the miser (Ecclesiastes 4:8- :). reward—Advantage accrues from their efforts being conjoined. The Talmud says, "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right. read more

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