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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/21_Ecc_04_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 4:10 - The Evil of Oppression" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:9">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 4:10 <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him <i>that is</i> alone when he falleth; for <i>he hath</i> not another to help him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him <i>who is</i> alone when he falls, For <i>he has</i> no one to help him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is [all] alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it's just too bad, because there is no one to help him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend—but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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 to rise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one raises up his companion, but woe to the one who falls and there is not a second to raise him up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For if they fall, the one raiseth up his companion, but woe to the one who falleth and there is not a second to raise him up!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if they shall fall, the one will raise up his companion: and wo to him, the one that shall fall, and not a second to raise him up.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for there is none to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For if one falls, his companion lifts him up; but grieve for him who is alone, for if he falls, there is no one to lift him up<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=743" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">The Evil of Oppression</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: hā·’e·ḥāḏ (Art:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: yip·pō·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">falls down,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2270.htm" title="2270: ḥă·ḇê·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- United, associate, companion. From chabar; an associate.">his companion</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: yā·qîm (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">can lift him up;</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/337.htm" title="337: wə·’î·lōw (Conj-w, Pi:: Interjection:: 3ms) -- Alas! Short from 'owy; alas!">but pity</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: hā·’e·ḥāḏ (Art:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">the one</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: še·yip·pō·wl (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">who falls</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: šê·nî (Number-oms) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again.">another</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: la·hă·qî·mōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">to help him up!</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a></span><br />Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Proverbs 17:17</a></span><br />A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:11</a></span><br />Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a></span><br />As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-1.htm">Romans 15:1</a></span><br />We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Hebrews 10:24-25</a></span><br />And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-26.htm">1 Corinthians 12:26</a></span><br />If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Philippians 2:4</a></span><br />Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/6-14.htm">Job 6:14</a></span><br />A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a></span><br />Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-4.htm">2 Corinthians 1:4</a></span><br />who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Proverbs 18:24</a></span><br />A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Matthew 18:19-20</a></span><br />Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.</p><p class="hdg">if</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Exodus 32:2-4,21</a></b></br> And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which <i>are</i> in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring <i>them</i> unto me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/9-19.htm">Deuteronomy 9:19,20</a></b></br> For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">1 Samuel 23:16</a></b></br> And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8</a></b></br> And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm">2 Samuel 14:6</a></b></br> And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and <i>there was</i> none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-3.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Either</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-23.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-3.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/118-13.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-18.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-8.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-4.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Raiseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-28.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Second</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-15.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Either</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">Help</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-7.htm">Helper</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-15.htm">Raiseth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Second</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Unhappy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">vanity is increased unto men by oppression</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">by envy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">by idleness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-7.htm">by covetousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">by solitariness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">by willfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For if one falls down</b><br>This phrase highlights the inevitability of human weakness and the need for support. In the biblical context, falling can be both literal and metaphorical, representing physical, emotional, or spiritual struggles. The Bible often uses the imagery of falling to describe sin or failure (<a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Proverbs 24:16</a>). The acknowledgment of human frailty is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for community and support.<p><b>his companion can lift him up;</b><br>The concept of companionship is central to biblical teachings, reflecting the importance of relationships. In <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a>, God declares it is not good for man to be alone, underscoring the necessity of companionship. The act of lifting up a fallen companion is a demonstration of love and support, akin to the Good Samaritan's actions in <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>. This phrase also points to the role of the church as a community where believers support one another (<a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a>).<p><b>but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the tragedy of isolation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, traveling alone was dangerous due to the threat of bandits and harsh conditions, making companionship essential for safety. The Bible frequently warns against isolation, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/18.htm">Proverbs 18:1</a>, which speaks of the dangers of self-imposed solitude. This phrase also serves as a reminder of the importance of fellowship within the body of Christ, where believers are called to bear one another's burdens (<a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Hebrews 10:24-25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation over which Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for the book of Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/companionship.htm">Companionship</a></b><br>- The central theme of this verse, emphasizing the importance of having supportive relationships.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_companionship.htm">The Value of Companionship</a></b><br>Companionship is a God-given gift that provides support and encouragement in times of need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_isolation.htm">The Danger of Isolation</a></b><br>Being alone can lead to vulnerability and hardship, emphasizing the need for community and fellowship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_church.htm">The Role of the Church</a></b><br>The church is called to be a community where believers support and uplift one another, reflecting the principles found in <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10</a>.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_help_and_support.htm">Practical Help and Support</a></b><br>Christians are encouraged to actively seek ways to help those around them, offering practical support and encouragement.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_accountability.htm">Spiritual Accountability</a></b><br>Having companions in faith provides accountability, helping believers to stay on the right path and grow spiritually.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">Woe.</span>--The word occurs only here and in <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm" title="Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!">Ecclesiastes 10:16</a>, but is common in post-Biblical Hebrew.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - Koheleth illustrates the benefit of association by certain familiar examples. <span class="cmt_word">For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow</span>. If one or the other fall, the companion will aid him. The idea is that two travelers are making their way over a rough road - an experience that every one must have had in Palestine. Vulgate, <span class="accented">Si unus ceciderit</span>. Of course, if both fell at the same time, one could not help the other. Commentators quote Homer, 'Iliad,' 10:220-226, thus rendered by Lord Derby - <p><span class="accented">"Nestor, that heart is mine;<br />I dare alone Enter the hostile camp, so close at hand;<br />Yet were one comrade giv'n me, I should go<br />With more of comfort, more of confidence.<br />Where two combine, one before other sees<br />The better course; and ev'n though one alone<br />The readiest way discover, yet would be<br />His judgment slower, his decision less."</span> <span class="cmt_word">Woe to him that is alone</span>. The same interjection of sorrow, <span class="hebrew">אִי</span>, occurs in <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16</a>, but elsewhere only in late Hebrew. The verse may be applied to moral falls as well as to stumbling at natural obstacles. Brother helps brother to resist temptation, while many have failed when tried by isolation who would have manfully withstood if they had had the countenance and support of others. <p><span class="accented">"Clear before us through the darkness<br />Gleams and burns the guiding light;<br />Brother clasps the hand of brother,<br />Stepping fearless through the night."</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֶחָ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">falls down,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפֹּ֔לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yip·pō·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his companion</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲבֵר֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḇê·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2270.htm">Strong's 2270: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, associate, companion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can lift him up;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָקִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but pity</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִ֣יל֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’î·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Pi | Interjection | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_337.htm">Strong's 337: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alas!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the one</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֶחָד֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who falls</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(še·yip·pō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(šê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8145.htm">Strong's 8145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to help him up!</span><br /><span class="heb">לַהֲקִימֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(la·hă·qî·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall the one will (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>