Ecclesiastes 4:10 kjv
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 nkjv
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 niv
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 esv
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:10 nlt
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:18 | "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." | Danger of aloneness, God's design for help. |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in abundance of counselors there is safety." | Value of counsel in group prevents failure. |
| Prov 12:15 | "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." | Humility to accept guidance. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." | Importance of shared wisdom for success. |
| Prov 17:17 | "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." | Steadfast support during difficulties. |
| Prov 18:1 | "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound judgment." | Warning against self-imposed isolation. |
| Prov 18:24 | "There are friends who destroy each other, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother." | The nature of true, supportive friendship. |
| Prov 27:6 | "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." | True friendship includes corrective support. |
| Prov 27:10 | "Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend... better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." | Value of proximate, enduring friendship. |
| Prov 27:17 | "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." | Mutual growth and strengthening. |
| Matt 18:20 | "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." | Strength and presence in Christian community. |
| Acts 20:35 | "It is more blessed to give than to receive." | Mutual support involves active giving. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members...so we, though many, are one body in Christ." | Interdependence in the Body of Christ. |
| Rom 15:1 | "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak." | Strong aiding the weak in Christian life. |
| Gal 6:2 | "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | Direct command for mutual assistance. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition... Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Selfless care and support for others. |
| 1 Thes 5:11 | "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." | Reciprocal edification and encouragement. |
| Heb 3:13 | "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." | Mutual vigilance against spiritual falling. |
| Heb 10:24-25 | "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together." | Gathering for mutual encouragement and good. |
| Heb 12:12-13 | "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." | Practical, physical, and spiritual assistance. |
| Jas 5:16 | "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." | Mutual accountability and prayer for healing. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another." | Using spiritual gifts for mutual service. |
| Jude 1:22-23 | "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire." | Compassionately helping those stumbling. |
Ecclesiastes 4 verses
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 4:10 teaches the profound importance and practical benefit of companionship and mutual support. It asserts that if an individual encounters a difficulty or 'falls,' having a companion ensures help to rise again. Conversely, it warns of the dire consequences and vulnerability of those who face challenges in isolation, lacking the vital aid needed for recovery. The verse emphasizes that life's adversities make interdependence not merely beneficial but essential for well-being and resilience.
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Context
Ecclesiastes 4:10 is embedded within a broader discussion by Qoheleth (the Preacher) on the often-wearisome and fleeting nature of life "under the sun." After exploring the oppression and loneliness experienced by humanity (vv. 1-8), the Preacher pivots to commend the practical value of cooperation and companionship (vv. 9-12). This verse serves as the core principle underpinning the assertion that "two are better than one." It reflects Qoheleth's observations of practical wisdom, acknowledging that despite the pervasive vanity of earthly pursuits, genuine human connection offers tangible benefits and resilience against the hardships of existence. It shifts from despair over isolated toil to a recognition of strength found in shared burdens.
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Word analysis
- For (כִּ֤י - ki): A conjunctive particle, often translated as "for" or "surely," indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding statement (in v. 9, "Two are better than one").
- if they fall (יִפּ֑וֹל - yippol, from נָפַל - naphal): The verb "naphal" means to fall, lie down, fail, or be cast down. It signifies not just a physical stumble but can represent a general misfortune, a setback, a failure, an error, or even a moral/spiritual lapse or crisis. The plural "they fall" anticipates that such events are common and can happen to anyone.
- one (הָאֶחָד֙ - ha'echad): Refers to one of the companions. "Echad" means one, a united whole.
- will lift up (יָקִ֖ים - yakim, from קוּם - qum): Means to rise, stand, establish, restore, set up. Here, it implies providing aid, help, support, and restoration. It is the antithesis of falling, representing recovery and stability.
- his companion (חֲבֵר֛וֹ - chavero, from חָבֵר - chaver): Literally "his friend," "his fellow," "his associate." It speaks to the shared humanity and bond between individuals, implying mutual trust and responsibility.
- But woe (וְאִ֣י - ve'iy, from אִ֣י - iy): "Iy" is an exclamation of lament or sorrow, conveying pity or denunciation. It underscores the severity and negative consequences for the person described next.
- to him who is alone (לַאֲשֶׁר֙ אֵ֣ין לוֹ - la'asher ein lo levaddo, literally "to him who is alone" or "who has no one for him," with לְבַדּ֣וֹ - levaddo: alone, by himself, solitary): Emphasizes isolation, singleness, and detachment from community. This condition is depicted as precarious and regrettable.
- when he falls (יִפּ֑וֹל - yippol): The same verb "naphal," reiterating that falling is an inevitable part of life, highlighting the danger when such an event occurs to an isolated individual.
- for he has no one to help him up (אֵ֥ין שֵׁנִ֖י לַהֲקִימֽוֹ - ein sheni lahakimo, literally "there is no second one to raise him"): "Ein" means "no," "sheni" means "second" (i.e., a companion), and "lahakimo" (from קוּם - qum) means "to raise him" or "to establish him." This starkly portrays the absolute helplessness and lack of recourse for the isolated person who suffers a setback, emphasizing the complete absence of external support.
Word Groups Analysis:
- "if they fall, one will lift up his companion": This phrase highlights the mutual benefit and reciprocal nature of healthy relationships. It is proactive and offers a solution to common human vulnerability. It posits that difficulties are not just private struggles but occasions for shared support.
- "But woe to him who is alone when he falls": This strong declarative warning establishes a stark contrast. It moves from describing the positive reality of companionship to painting a grim picture of isolation's consequence. The "woe" underscores deep concern and sorrow for such a person.
- "for he has no one to help him up": This concluding part provides the grim rationale for the "woe." It underscores the core issue: the absence of practical aid and support in times of need. The isolation makes the fall irrecoverable or much harder to overcome, demonstrating absolute vulnerability.
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Bonus section
The "woe" (אִ֤י - iy) used in Ecclesiastes 4:10 carries significant weight beyond a simple expression of pity. In biblical literature, "woe" can often be a prophetic lament, a warning of divine judgment, or a declaration of sorrowful consequence that stems from a departure from God's created order. Here, while not explicitly divine judgment, it expresses the natural, tragic consequences of violating the implicit divine design for human community and mutual support, as highlighted early in Gen 2:18, "It is not good that the man should be alone." Thus, Qoheleth observes not just a social benefit but a reflection of a deeper spiritual reality about human interconnectedness being God-ordained for human flourishing and resilience against life's intrinsic "vanity" or challenges.
Ecclesiastes 4 10 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 4:10, a pithy proverb, extends the practical wisdom introduced in the preceding verse regarding the advantage of unity. It posits a fundamental truth about human existence: adversity is a universal experience, and recovery from it often hinges upon the presence of supportive companionship. The 'fall' described is multi-faceted—it can denote physical mishap, economic ruin, social disgrace, emotional despair, or a spiritual stumble. In any such instance, a 'companion' (a friend, partner, or fellow believer) serves as a vital external aid, preventing prolonged suffering or total collapse.
The contrasting statement, "Woe to him who is alone when he falls," is a stark pronouncement on the perilous nature of isolation. It is not just about loneliness, but the profound helplessness that accompanies a setback when no one is available to lend a hand. This emphasizes that human beings are fundamentally designed for interdependence. True support extends beyond mere presence; it is the active 'lifting up'—the tangible act of restoration, encouragement, and practical assistance. This wisdom holds true for individuals, families, and especially the Church, where mutual care is a foundational principle. Without this support, falls can become permanent, leading to deeper despair or ruin, validating the profound wisdom found in collective strength over solitary vulnerability.