God isn"t impressed by the person who is living off of society. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that … Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that … For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. 5 The fool b folds his hands and c eats his own flesh. This can be said of him, that he enjoys the common blessings of life with small care or anxiety. Ec Ecc Eccles. A graphical and lively description of a sluggard, fitly called a fool ( φαυλος), a naughty person. That is, places his hands upon his chest, instead of using them for work. poverty comes upon him as an armed man; grief also slays him; {Proverbs 21:25] envy consumes his flesh, and he is vexed at the plenty of painful persons, and, because he cannot come at, or rather pull out their hearts, he feeds upon his own. Concerning the worship of God, prescribing that as a remedy against all those vanities which he had already observed to be in wisdom, learning, pleasure, honour, power, and business. 6 And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness. Foldeth his hands together; is careless and idle, which is the signification of this gesture, Proverbs 6:10 19:24 26:15. Eateth — Wastes his substance, and brings himself to poverty, whereby his very flesh pines away for want of bread. He disdains these frantic rivalries. In Ecclesiastes 4-5 the Preacher wants to talk to us about the following subjects: oppression, work, companionship, wisdom, God, riches, and enjoying life. (Ecc 4:13-16) The vanity of fame and its short life. Calmness and stillness. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for … 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. The fool — Is careless and idle: perceiving that diligence is attended with envy, he runs into the other extreme. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. Next » Chapter 5. The lover of money never has enough. Ecclesiastes 5 Chapter 4 Solomon, having shown the vanity of this world in the temptation which those in power feel to oppress and trample upon their subjects, here further shows, I. 6. 5. The fool foldeth his hands together.] A graphical and lively description of a sluggard, fitly called a fool ( φαυλος), a naughty person. 3 And better off than both is the yet unborn, who has not seen the wicked work that is done under the sun. 4 Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. Job 13:14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called ' (the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between the 5th to 2nd century BCE. Ecclesiastes 9. Foldeth his hands - The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (marginal references). Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. "Thou idle and evil servant." 4:4 And I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called ' Qoheleth', composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. Some understand this of the envious man, who is a fool, traduces the diligent and industrious, and will not work himself; and not only whose idleness brings want and poverty on him as an armed man, but whose envy eats up his spirit, and is rottenness in his bones, Proverbs 6:11. [Matthew 25:26] God puts no difference between nequaquam and nequam, a drone … fool (the wicked oppressor) is not to be envied even in this life, who “folds his hands together” in idleness (Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33), living on the means he wrongfully wrests from others; for such a one. "Thou idle and evil servant." What is gained by toil? In order to get more sleep, or as unwilling to work; so the Targum adds, "he folds his hands in summer, and will not labour;'. Whereas other people are working too hard in their envious struggles, fools simply sit with their hands folded and "consume their own flesh" (4:5). So, in these chapters we get a good cross-section of … 6 The wind blows to the south. Flesh, which he will not labour to sustain; (Haydock) or he repines at his own past misconduct, and at the affluence of others. fool. This chapter discusses life's hardship … This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. than … He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. Ecclesiastes 5. 4 Then I saw that all toil and skillful work is the rivalry of one person with another. 5. And consumes his own flesh. 5.The fool’ eateth his own flesh — The activity of the jealous is here contrasted with the quiet of the stupid, to the advantage of the latter: The stupid foldeth his hands, yet hath meat to eat. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that … ; 24:33-34). "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: … If hard work and diligence bring success, but with negative side effects, then should we sink into apathy and let things slide? Next » Chapter 6. 4:5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. And really – what more is there to life? But he is given his real name, the fool….He is the picture of complacency and unwitting self-destruction, for this comment on him points out deeper damage than the wasting of his capital. Fool as he is, he shows something of philosophic calm and content. eateth his own flesh — that is, is a self-tormentor, never satisfied, his spirit preying on itself (Isaiah 9:20; Isaiah 49:26). To the place the streams come from, Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. ). ( E) Better a handful with quietness. Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.. Ver. — The activity of the jealous is here contrasted with the quiet of the stupid, to the advantage of the latter: The stupid foldeth his hands, yet hath meat to eat. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chapter 5. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. ( D) The fool folds his hands. Some persons, to escape the envy which diligence and industry bring on men, will not work at all, or do any right work, and think to sleep in a whole skin; this is great folly and madness indeed: and eateth his own flesh; such a man is starved and famished for want of food, so that his flesh is wasted away; or he is so hungry bitten, that he is ready to eat his own flesh; or he hereby brings to ruin his family, his wife, and children, which are his own flesh, Isaiah 58:7. This too is vanity and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 5. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. CHAPTER 5. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. 1 Jun 2012. God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few. Chapter 4 vs. 6: Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh. [Proverbs 26:15] A great many chares he is likely to do the while: {See Trapp on "Proverbs 19:24"} And as ( Neque mola, neque farina - nothing do, nothing have) "he eateth his own flesh" - he maketh many a hungry meal, he hath a dog’s life, as we say. Ecclesiastes rails against "fools" once more. One of the wise sayings of Ecclesiastes urges us to maintain calmness and stillness. and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. Fool as he is, he shows something of philosophic calm and content. "folds his hands" (Prov. and chasing the wind.”. Read this chapter in full. 4:4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. Ecclesiastes 5 is the fifth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. 4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. Eateth his own flesh - i. e., “Destroys himself:” compare a similar expression in Isaiah 49:26; Psalm 27:2; Micah 3:3. Bro-mance Ecclesiastes 8. 3 comments Ecc5: Do not make rash vows before God. Show content in: English Both Hebrew. 1 * Be not hasty in your utterance and let not your heart be quick to utter a promise in God’s presence. Again, I saw that for all toil and every … and ruin themselves. Ecclesiastes 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. 6 d Better is a handful of e quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. "The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.". and consume their own flesh”— *. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. "Ease slayeth this fool"; [Proverbs 1:32, marg.} Ecclesiastes 10. 4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. a. 4:1: So I returned, and con side red 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. that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4. Gross. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. [Matthew 25:26] God puts no difference between nequaquam and nequam, a drone and a naughty pack, seem he never so "wise in his own eyes," [Proverbs 26:16] and have he never so much reason to allege for himself - as in the verse here next following; a fool he is, and so he will soon prove himself; for "he folds up his hands and hides them in his own bosom." 5. 4. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. The Targum is, "in winter he eats all he has, even the covering of the skin of his flesh.'. His idleness eats away not only what he has but what he is: eroding his self-control, his grasp of reality, his capacity for care and, in the end, his self-respect" (Kidner p. 46). Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 5 « Previous Chapter 4. Note that the bum or the drop out has a moral problem. 6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.… The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. ... Chapter 4. Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. 2 And I congratulated the dead who had already died rather than the living who were still alive.+ 3 And better off than both of them is the one … Hebrew. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. Isaiah 9:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular, Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular, Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular, Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands together (Ecclesiast. The temptation which the oppressed feel to discontent and impatience (v. 1-3). But it has been proposed, taking the verse in connection with that which precedes and those which follow, to understand them literally, “eats his meat;” the sense being that, considering the emulation and envy involved in all successful exertion, one is tempted to say that the sluggard does better who eats his meat in quiet. Still the indolence which 'folds the fool's hands together' is to be reprobated, because such a one ruins himself - "eateth his own flesh" (Isaiah 9:20; Isaiah 49:26). 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. (5) Eateth his own flesh.—Interpreters have usually taken these words metaphorically, as in Psalms 27:2; Isaiah 49:26; Micah 3:3, and understood them as a condemnation of the sluggard’s conduct as suicidal. Ecclesiastes 11. 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. 6 Better one handful with tranquillity. This can be said of him, that he enjoys the common blessings of life with small care or anxiety. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. The fool foldeth his hands - After all, without labor and industry no man can get any comfort in life; and he who gives way to idleness is the veriest of fools. Ver. Carefully note, while God condemns the greedy, God also condemns the person who represents the opposite extreme, i.e. For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. kesil, fat, inert. (4-6) Success often gains the envy of one’s neighbor. 5 “Fools fold their arms. Read this chapter in full. Eateth his own flesh; wasteth his substance, and bringeth himself to poverty, whereby his very flesh pineth away for want of bread, and he is reduced to skin and bone; and if he have any flesh left, he is ready to eat it through extremity of hunger. 4 Again I turned my attention to all the acts of oppression that go on under the sun. Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 Fulfill Your Vow to God In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.”. The fool foldeth his hands, &c. — Is careless and idle: perceiving that diligence is attended with envy, he runs into the other extreme. Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. There ought certainly to be activity according to our calling; indolence is self-destruction: “The fool foldeth his hands, and eateth his own flesh.” He layeth his hands together (Prov 6:10-24:33), - placeth them in his bosom, instead of using them in working, - and thereby he eateth himself up, i.e., bringeth ruin upon himself (Psalms 27:2; Micah 3:3; Isaiah 49:26); for instead of nourishing himself by the labour of his hands, he feeds on his own flesh, and thus wasteth away. Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Lesson 3: Chapter 2 – The wisest and the richest still lose Lesson 4: Chapter 3:1-15 – To everything there is a season (turn, turn, turn) Lesson 5: Chapter 3:16 – 4:12 – Oppression, toil, and friendship Lesson 6: Chapter 4:13 – 5:12 – How to get a good night’s rest Lesson 7: Chapter 5:13 – 6:12 – Rich but all alone And eateth his own flesh — Wastes his substance, and brings himself to poverty, whereby his very flesh pines away for want of bread. For God has no pleasure in fools; fulfill what … It is good to find enjoyment in life. Oppression and evil deeds are vanity—The strength of two is better than one—Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king. 3 b When you make a vow to God, delay not its fulfillment. John Trapp Complete Commentary. 1 Be not rash with your mouth, and let your heart not be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is … 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. see Proverbs 6:10. … 4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. "consumes his own flesh"-brings ruin upon himself. The fool foldeth his hands together.] Chapter 5 vs.7: For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also divers vanities: but fear thou God. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and there was no one to comfort them.+ And their oppressors had the power, and there was no one to comfort them. 5 Fools fold their hands. carelessness, indolence, laziness, and indifference. Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 4 « Previous Chapter 3. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is … Ecclesiastes 6. : 4:2: Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Ecclesiastes 4:5. 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