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Ecclesiastes 4:1 open_in_new
under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3.
side. Hebrew "hand": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the violence proceeding from it.
they: i.e. the oppressed. The phrase repeated for emphasis. Figure of speech Epistrophe. App-6.
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Ecclesiastes 4:2 open_in_new
praised. commended, or pronounced happy. Hebrew. sliabach, used only by David and Solomon.
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Ecclesiastes 4:3 open_in_new
better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24.
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Ecclesiastes 4:4 open_in_new
travail. toil, as connected with trouble, sorrow. Not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 2:23; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ecclesiastes 3:10; Ecclesiastes 4:8; Ecclesiastes 5:14.
every right work. all the dexterity in work.
man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14.
vexation, &c.. feeding on wind. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:14.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
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Ecclesiastes 4:5 open_in_new
fool. Hebrew. kesil, fat, inert. See note on Proverbs 1:7.
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Ecclesiastes 4:8 open_in_new
child. son.
labour. toil.
my soul. myself.
travail. fatigue from toil. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23; Ecclesiastes 2:26.
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Ecclesiastes 4:12 open_in_new
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.
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Ecclesiastes 4:13 open_in_new
poor. straitened in means, not able to profit others. Hebrew. misken. Not the same as in Ecclesiastes 4:14. Supposed to be. later Hebrew word, but. derivative of it is found in Deuteronomy 8:9. See App-76.
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Ecclesiastes 4:14 open_in_new
out of prison, &c. Compare Joseph (Genesis 41:40); Daniel (Daniel 5:29; Daniel 6:1-3).
born, &c. Compare Rehoboam, robbed by Shishak (1 Kings 14:25-28).
poor. needy, in want. Hebrew. rush. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11.Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 6:16
vexation. The same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:17; Ecclesiastes 2:22.