Ecclesiastes 4 11

Ecclesiastes 4:11 kjv

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 nkjv

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 niv

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 esv

Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:11 nlt

Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4 verses

Ecclesiastes 4 11 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 4:11 emphasizes a practical, undeniable benefit of companionship: mutual warmth and comfort. Literally, it refers to the physical heat generated when two individuals sleep together, providing warmth in cold conditions. Metaphorically, this "warmth" extends to emotional support, security, and a sense of belonging that partnership brings, which is impossible to achieve in isolation. The verse underscores the pragmatic wisdom that shared vulnerability and proximity lead to tangible benefits and protection against the "cold" of loneliness or hardship.

Ecclesiastes 4 11 Context

Ecclesiastes, often attributed to "Kohelet" (the Preacher), grapples with the pervasive vanity ("hevel") and futility of life "under the sun"—life observed solely from a human perspective without acknowledging divine intervention. Chapter 4 begins by observing the oppression and the ultimate futility of relentless toil. The Preacher highlights the isolation of a greedy person working alone (v.7-8) whose wealth brings no true companionship or satisfaction. Verses 9-12 introduce a stark contrast, presenting the pragmatic benefits of partnership, breaking the otherwise somber theme of life's toil and isolation. This section shifts from highlighting life's problems to offering practical wisdom for navigating them. Verse 11 directly contributes to this argument, building upon the ideas that "two are better than one" (v.9) and one can "help the other up" (v.10), by providing a very tangible and relatable example of shared comfort: mutual warmth.

Ecclesiastes 4 11 Word analysis

• Again (gam - גַּם): A particle indicating addition, reiteration, or continuation. It signals that this point about companionship is another aspect or a further example supporting the preceding ideas in verses 9 and 10.
• if two (shnayim - שְׁנַיִם): The number two. It specifically highlights the duality and the presence of more than one person, crucial for the subsequent benefit of shared warmth and companionship.
• lie together (shakav yachdav - שָׁכַב יַחְדָּו):
  • shakav (שָׁכַב): To lie down, to recline, to sleep. While it can refer to sexual intimacy in some contexts, here its primary meaning is simply physical proximity for rest or warmth.
  • yachdav (יַחְדָּו): Together, unitedly, as one. Emphasizes the close, shared space and concerted action of lying side by side.
  • The phrase emphasizes intimate physical closeness not necessarily for passion but for practical comfort and survival in possibly harsh conditions.
• then they have (vehaayah lahem - וְהָיָה לָהֶם): Signifies a direct consequence or result. It's an outcome that comes to them, directly attributing the warmth as a benefit they gain from being together.
• warmth (chom - חֹם):
  • (Original Hebrew: חֹם). Refers to physical heat, warmth. This is the literal benefit being highlighted.
  • Symbolically, it represents comfort, security, emotional solace, and the shared support that comes from a close relationship. It’s a metaphor for shelter from the "cold" of life’s hardships and isolation.
• but how (ve'ekh - וְאֵיךְ): An interrogative particle indicating a rhetorical question. It powerfully challenges the notion of individual comfort, leading the listener to the inevitable conclusion that it's difficult or impossible to be warm alone.
• can one (echad - אֶחָד): The number one, emphasizing singularity and isolation. It contrasts directly with "two," highlighting the lonely individual.
• be warm (yecham - יֵחַם): The root verb of chom, meaning to become warm or hot.
• alone (bevadad - בְּבָדָד):
  • (Original Hebrew: בְּבָדָד). Means in isolation, solitary, by oneself.
  • This word encapsulates the vulnerability, lack of support, and coldness (both literal and metaphorical) that an individual experiences without companionship. It accentuates the core problem that companionship remedies.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth": This phrase presents a straightforward, observable truth and practical advantage. It uses a universal, relatable scenario (seeking warmth) to illustrate the fundamental benefit of companionship—mutual gain through proximity and shared effort or existence. This setup builds a positive cause-and-effect relationship between being together and experiencing comfort/benefit.
• "but how can one be warm alone?": This rhetorical question serves as a potent counterpoint. It highlights the inherent disadvantage and difficulty of solitude. By framing it as a question, Kohelet doesn't just state a fact but invites the reader to experience the logical conclusion of the problem—the impracticality or impossibility of achieving certain vital comforts (like warmth/security) without another. This powerfully underscores the necessity and value of companionship previously introduced.

Ecclesiastes 4 11 Bonus section

The observation in Ecclesiastes 4:11 is part of a larger, coherent argument in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 for the supreme value of companionship, often called the "power of two," or with verse 12, the "threefold cord." The 'warmth' extends beyond physical heat to spiritual and emotional closeness, anticipating New Testament calls for fellowship and mutual edification within the Christian community (e.g., in the Body of Christ). It reflects an underlying biblical truth present from Genesis 2:18 ("It is not good for the man to be alone"), indicating a divine design for interdependence among humans, which provides strength, resilience, and comfort that solo existence lacks. This principle holds true in various relationships—marriage, friendship, and communal living, providing solace against the inevitable trials of life "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 4 11 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 4:11 encapsulates the profound, yet simple, wisdom that humans are not designed for isolation. It's a practical, down-to-earth observation by the Preacher, emphasizing that companionship offers tangible advantages against life's "cold." While literally referring to physical warmth, the "warmth" broadly symbolizes mutual support, comfort, emotional solace, and a shared defense against life's challenges. Alone, one is vulnerable to the chilling effects of hardship and loneliness, but together, individuals can find practical aid and deep, protective comfort. This verse acts as a bridge from the vanity of solitary toil to the wisdom of collective endeavor, finding value in human connection within a world often characterized by struggle. It illustrates that genuine profit ("a good return," v.9) is often found not in accumulation but in relationships that offer protection, encouragement, and practical assistance.