Ecclesiastes 4 4

Ecclesiastes 4:4 kjv

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 nkjv

Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 niv

And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 esv

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 nlt

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless ? like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4 verses

Ecclesiastes 4 4 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 4:4 observes a pervasive reality in human society: much diligent and successful labor, driven by the desire to achieve or excel, often originates from or leads to the envy of one's neighbor. This means that excellence in work and prosperity are frequently met not with admiration but with jealousy and rivalry. The verse concludes that this cycle of labor fueled by, or resulting in, envy is ultimately meaningless and an effort to grasp what cannot be held, contributing to the broader theme of futility "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 4 4 Context

Ecclesiastes 4 initiates a series of observations by the Teacher (Koheleth) regarding the social injustices and inherent sorrows of human existence "under the sun." Prior to verse 4, the Teacher has lamented the oppression suffered by the downtrodden (Ecc 4:1-3), leading to his declaration that the dead are better off than the living, and those who have never existed are better still, as they have not seen the evil done. Verse 4 transitions from this direct observation of oppression to a deeper examination of the motives behind human toil and ambition. It unveils an insidious spiritual affliction that permeates labor—the motivation or outcome of envy. This specific verse acts as a bridge, linking the general observations of worldly suffering to a more psychological and spiritual root cause—the insatiable drive fueled by comparison and rivalry, which ultimately yields no lasting satisfaction and compounds the overall futility of life apart from God.

Ecclesiastes 4 4 Word analysis

• Again: Hebrew: Wa-shavti (וְשַׁבְתִּי). Lit. "And I returned" or "I turned." It signals Koheleth returning to an observation or thought, implying a continued, perhaps cyclical, meditation on human experience. It underscores the pervasive and repetitive nature of the folly he observes.
• I saw: Hebrew: Ani ra'iti (אֲנִי רָאִיתִי). A firsthand observation, emphasizing the Teacher's empirical approach. It's not a theological declaration but a conclusion drawn from what he has witnessed in the world.
• all toil: Hebrew: kol 'amal (כָּל־עָמָל). Refers to laborious effort, hard work, especially that which involves weariness, trouble, and painful exertion. It highlights work that feels burdensome or unfruitful, despite the energy expended. It carries a connotation of striving.
• and every skillful work: Hebrew: ve-khol mishrat ha-ma'aseh (וְכָל־כִּשְׁרוֹן הַמַּעֲשֶׂה). Kishron implies success, prosperity, or skilled craftsmanship. It refers to a person's adeptness, efficiency, or high quality in their labor, distinguishing this from mere drudgery. It points to accomplishment and proficiency.
• that for this: Hebrew: ki-hi (כִּי־הִיא). "Because this," referring back to "toil" and "skillful work" as the very thing that elicits the subsequent reaction.
• a man is envied: Hebrew: teqanat ish (תְּקָנַת־אִישׁ). The noun teqanah (קִנְאָה) means envy, jealousy, or zeal. Here it specifically denotes "envy." It describes the bitter emotion arising from seeing another's possessions, advantages, or success. This word carries a strong negative connotation, implying resentment and desire to have what another possesses or for another to not possess it.
• by his neighbor: Hebrew: mirē'ēhu (מֵרֵעֵהוּ). From his companion or friend, emphasizing the social context where this rivalry plays out, even among those close to one another.
• This also is vanity: Hebrew: gam zeh hevel (גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל). A recurring refrain in Ecclesiastes. Hevel means breath, vapor, futility, or meaninglessness. It suggests ephemerality, insubstantiality, and a lack of ultimate value or lasting impact.
• and a striving after wind: Hebrew: u-re'ut ruach (וּרְעוּת רוּחַ). Another recurring phrase. Re'ut implies "shepherding," "pursuit," or "striving." Ruach means wind, spirit, or breath. The phrase captures the Sisyphean task of trying to grasp something as elusive as the wind—impossible to capture and yielding no enduring satisfaction.

• "All toil and every skillful work": This phrase highlights that the problem of envy isn't limited to unproductive or malicious work but even extends to work that is successful and excellent. This underscores the pervasive nature of sin within human endeavor, irrespective of the quality or outcome of the work itself.
• "that for this a man is envied by his neighbor": This indicates the source and object of the envy. Human achievement, excellence, and success become magnets for envy, leading to a corrosive social environment where progress creates resentment rather than commendation. This reflects a deep human flaw rooted in comparison and covetousness, stemming from a lack of contentment and a focus on self.
• "This also is vanity and a striving after wind": This concluding refrain links the specific observation of envy-driven labor to the overarching theme of futility. It emphasizes that even if such labor leads to achievement, its motivation and its negative social consequences render it ultimately meaningless in a cosmic sense. It reveals that chasing earthly recognition or success motivated by envy offers no true satisfaction or lasting value.

Ecclesiastes 4 4 Bonus section

The concept of teqanah (envy/jealousy) as presented here points to one of the most destructive forces in human relationships and inner peace. It contrasts sharply with biblical virtues like humility (Phil 2:3) and love (1 Cor 13:4), which do not envy or boast. The verse implies that left unchecked, human society devolves into a relentless, soul-destroying competition, where even commendable skills (kishron ha-ma'aseh) become fodder for rivalry rather than communal good. This underlines the necessity of a spiritual perspective, which recognizes that true gain is not found in accumulation or comparison, but in acknowledging God as the source of all blessing and living contentedly in His will. The Teacher's stark realism challenges individuals to examine their own motives for labor and achievement: are they driven by a godly purpose or by the restless pursuit of external validation, which inevitably leads to emptiness and strife?

Ecclesiastes 4 4 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 4:4 unearths a dark current flowing beneath human striving: the motivation or consequence of envy. The Teacher observes that excellence and hard work are frequently tainted by, or subjected to, the bitter resentment of others. This is not about the righteous reward of labor, but about the distorted pursuit of success either to spite a rival, or merely finding that achievement provokes jealousy instead of joy. This insight exposes the superficiality of earthly gain and reputation; even success becomes a source of strife rather than satisfaction when others resent it. The "vanity" here lies in the cyclical futility: striving hard for excellence, only to find that excellence attracts the corrosive effect of envy, stripping away its intrinsic reward and peace. The effort becomes like "striving after wind," chasing something intangible that can never truly satisfy because its ultimate measure is external comparison and rivalry, rather than inner purpose or divine affirmation. This verse subtly contrasts such labor with a work ethic rooted in a relationship with God, where contentment transcends external validation and the ephemeral pursuit of status.