Ecclesiastes 4 1

Ecclesiastes 4:1 kjv

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 nkjv

Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter? On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 niv

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed? and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors? and they have no comforter.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 esv

Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 nlt

Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.

Ecclesiastes 4 verses

Ecclesiastes 4 1 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 4:1 describes a profound observation of widespread human oppression. It highlights the anguish and tears of the victims, who are left without any solace or support. In stark contrast, the oppressors wield unchecked power, and similarly, there is no one available or able to offer comfort or redress to the suffering. The verse paints a grim picture of injustice prevalent "under the sun," emphasizing a deep-seated problem within the human experience.

Ecclesiastes 4 1 Context

Ecclesiastes 4:1 is part of a larger reflection by Qoheleth, the Preacher, on the "vanity" or "futility" (hebel) of life "under the sun." Chapters 3 and 4 particularly focus on observations about injustice and the struggle to find lasting meaning or good in human endeavors when evil and suffering abound. Immediately preceding this verse (Ecc 3:16-17), Qoheleth notes that "in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness," leading to his conclusion that God will ultimately judge. Ecclesiastes 4:1 then provides a poignant example of this observed injustice in practice, emphasizing the pain and isolation of victims in a world where oppressors are unchallenged. This sets the stage for further musings on envy, striving, solitude, and human cooperation versus isolation. The historical context reflects a world where powerful individuals often held unchecked authority, and systems of justice were imperfect or corruptible, making recourse for the vulnerable extremely difficult in many ancient Near Eastern societies. The verse presents a polemic against the simplistic view that prosperity always aligns with righteousness and suffering with sin; it directly observes righteous suffering without immediate remedy.

Ecclesiastes 4 1 Word analysis

• Again (וְשָׁבְתִּי, wĕshāḇətî): Lit. "and I returned." Signifies a turning point or a resumption of observation, implying Qoheleth repeatedly observed this disturbing reality, making it a persistent concern.
• I saw (וָאֵרֶא, wā’ēre’): "And I saw." Direct personal observation, underscoring the realism and direct experience behind the Preacher's reflection.
• all the oppressions (אֶת-כָּל-הָעֲשֻׁקִים, ’eṯ-kol-hā‘ašuqîm): The Hebrew word ʿāshāq (עָשַׁק) means to oppress, defraud, or exploit. The plural form ‘ašuqim here denotes "acts of oppression" or "things oppressed," pointing to systemic and numerous instances of injustice and wrongful actions.
• that are done (אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשִׂים, ’ašer na‘ăśîm): Passively states these acts of oppression are a regular occurrence, emphasizing their pervasive nature.
• under the sun (תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, taḥaṯ haššemeš): A recurring phrase in Ecclesiastes (appears 29 times). It limits Qoheleth's observations to the earthly realm, from a human perspective, excluding immediate divine intervention or eternal truths, emphasizing the challenges and futility experienced within temporal life.
• and behold (וְהִנֵּה, wəhinnēh): An exclamation, "lo!" or "behold!", drawing immediate attention to the shocking sight that follows, adding dramatic emphasis to the reality of suffering.
• the tears (דִּמְעַת, dim‘aṯ): Singular, collective for tears. The visible manifestation of deep sorrow, anguish, and helpless suffering. Tears are the ultimate, undeniable sign of pain when words fail or are silenced.
• of the oppressed (הָעֲשֻׁקִים, hā‘ašuqîm): Here, the word refers specifically to the victims of oppression, those who suffer the actions described by ‘ašuqim. It links the suffering directly to the unjust acts.
• and they had no one to comfort them (וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם, wə’ên lāhem mənḥēm): A critical phrase highlighting their utter isolation and despair. Menaḥem (מְנַחֵם) is from the root nāḥam (נָחַם), meaning "to comfort, console, have compassion." This lack of a comforter emphasizes not just the absence of aid, but the absence of empathy, solace, or justice.
• on the side of their oppressors (וּמִיַּד עֹשְׁקֵיהֶם, ûmîyaḏ ‘ōšəqêhem): Lit. "and from the hand of their oppressors." The "hand" (יָד, yaḏ) symbolizes power, authority, control, and ability. This highlights the source of the oppression and the oppressors' unchallenged dominion.
• there was power (כֹּחַ, kōaḥ): Indicates strength, might, or authority. The oppressors possess all the power, legally, physically, or socially, ensuring no one can restrain or challenge them.
• and there was no one to comfort them (וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם, wə’ên lāhem mənḥēm): This is a powerful repetition of the earlier phrase. Its recurrence emphasizes the total absence of comfort, relief, or justice. It suggests both that no one steps forward to help and that the victims themselves are utterly devoid of hope for such relief in their current reality. This repetition underscores the profound hopelessness and injustice.

Words-group analysis:

• "Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun": Establishes the repeated, broad, and earthly scope of Qoheleth's observation of injustice. It's a statement about a fundamental flaw observed in human society without direct divine intervention.
• "and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the suffering and utter isolation of the victims. The "tears" symbolize visible agony, and the "no one to comfort them" underscores their complete vulnerability and the lack of empathy or intervention.
• "on the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them": This reinforces the imbalance of power and the seemingly unchangeable nature of the situation. The oppressors' might is unchallenged, and the victims' lack of comfort is absolute, solidifying the despair and hopelessness in the face of rampant injustice. The second mention of "no one to comfort them" serves as a devastating final blow, encapsulating the pervasive injustice from both the victims' suffering and the oppressors' unchecked might.

Ecclesiastes 4 1 Bonus section

The observation in Ecclesiastes 4:1 challenges the prevailing ancient Near Eastern wisdom (and sometimes Israelite theology) that generally linked righteousness with prosperity and wickedness with suffering in a simplistic cause-and-effect manner. Qoheleth explicitly details a scenario where the innocent suffer intensely, and the wicked flourish with unchecked power, defying an immediate, observable system of retribution. This tension points towards the ultimate necessity of a transcendent God who will bring judgment beyond "under the sun" observations (as indicated in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The verse implicitly serves as a call for human empathy and intervention, even as Qoheleth acknowledges its frequent absence. It highlights the deeply personal toll of injustice, manifested in the literal "tears" that remain unaddressed.

Ecclesiastes 4 1 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 4:1 is a raw and somber reflection on the harsh realities of a fallen world. Qoheleth, through direct observation, spotlights the systemic nature of injustice, where the powerful exploit the vulnerable. The "tears of the oppressed" speak to a deep, agonizing pain that is often voiceless or ignored, while the stark declaration "they had no one to comfort them" amplifies their isolation and the absence of any compassionate intervention, either human or seemingly divine, within this earthly scope. The power resting "on the side of their oppressors" reveals the cruel imbalance, making the suffering victims appear utterly helpless against superior force. The repeated lament of "no one to comfort them" hammers home the profound sense of despair, a world where the natural human inclination for sympathy or the societal structures meant to ensure justice have failed. This verse powerfully contributes to Qoheleth's thesis of hebel, suggesting that earthly life, left to itself, is often absurd and without intrinsic fairness, raising profound questions about suffering and divine justice that transcend immediate human experience. It forces the reader to confront the reality of unresolved injustice in the present moment, without immediate earthly recourse.