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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 4:11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_04_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 4:11 - The Evil of Oppression" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?" /><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/4-11.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/4-11.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 11</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="/ad11.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/4-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:10">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 4:11 <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:12">►</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 />Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm <i>alone</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm <i>alone?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm <i>alone?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm <i>alone?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm <i>alone</i>?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm <i>alone?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you sleep alone, you won't have anyone to keep you warm on a cold night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth: but how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie close together, they will keep warm, but how can only one stay warm? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how has one heat?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also, if two lie down, then they have heat, but how hath one heat?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also if two shall lie down, and heat to them: and to the one it shall not be warm.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one alone keep warm?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Again, if two sleep together, they will be warm; but how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if two will lie down they will get warm, and how will one be warm alone?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed <i>alone?</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/4-11.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=753" 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">10</span>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="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">Again,</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/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·na·yim (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">two</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: yiš·kə·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lie down together,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2552.htm" title="2552: wə·ḥam (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To be or become warm. A primitive root; to be hot.">they will keep warm;</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’êḵ (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">but how</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ū·lə·’e·ḥāḏ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">can one</a> <a href="/hebrew/2552.htm" title="2552: yê·ḥām (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become warm. A primitive root; to be hot.">keep warm alone?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.…<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="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a></span><br />The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”<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="/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="/matthew/18-20.htm">Matthew 18:20</a></span><br />For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-14</a></span><br />The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-5.htm">Romans 12:5</a></span><br />so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Philippians 2:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, / then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-14.htm">Colossians 3:14</a></span><br />And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-2.htm">Ephesians 4:2-3</a></span><br />with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8-10</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. / Show hospitality to one another without complaining. / As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-12.htm">John 15:12-13</a></span><br />This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. / Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/ruth/1-16.htm">Ruth 1:16-17</a></span><br />But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">1 Kings 1:1,2</a></b></br> Now king David was old <i>and</i> stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-34.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Together</a> <a href="/job/39-14.htm">Warm</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Warmth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-15.htm">Warm</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-1.htm">Warmth</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>Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;</b><br>This phrase highlights the practical benefits of companionship. In the ancient Near Eastern context, nights could be cold, and sharing body heat was a practical necessity for survival. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the importance of community and mutual support, as seen in <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a>, where God declares it is not good for man to be alone. The idea of warmth here can also symbolize emotional and spiritual support, echoing the fellowship found in the early church (<a href="/acts/2-42.htm">Acts 2:42-47</a>).<p><b>but how can one keep warm alone?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes the vulnerability and challenges of isolation. In biblical times, traveling alone was dangerous, and the lack of companionship could lead to physical and emotional hardship. This concept is mirrored in <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a>, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another," underscoring the necessity of relationships for personal growth and resilience. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ's relationship with the Church, where believers are encouraged to support and uplift one another, as seen in <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 where Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/companionship.htm">Companionship</a></b><br>- The concept of companionship is central to this verse, emphasizing the benefits of mutual support and relationship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_companionship.htm">The Value of Companionship</a></b><br>Companionship provides physical, emotional, and spiritual warmth. In a world that often promotes individualism, this verse reminds us of the inherent value in relationships and community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mutual_support_in_relationships.htm">Mutual Support in Relationships</a></b><br>Just as two people can keep each other warm, mutual support in relationships can help individuals face life's challenges. This principle applies to marriages, friendships, and church communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_isolation.htm">The Danger of Isolation</a></b><br>Isolation can lead to vulnerability and a lack of support. This verse encourages us to seek and maintain meaningful relationships to avoid the coldness of solitude.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warmth_through_fellowship.htm">Spiritual Warmth through Fellowship</a></b><br>Fellowship with other believers is crucial for spiritual growth and encouragement. Engaging in community helps maintain spiritual fervor and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_to_foster_community.htm">Practical Steps to Foster Community</a></b><br>Actively seek opportunities to connect with others, whether through church activities, small groups, or service projects. Building relationships requires intentionality and effort.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_eccl._9_11_challenge_god's_control.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:11 says events happen by 'time and chance,' so does that undermine the idea of God's sovereign control?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_4_contradict_itself.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 promotes partnership, yet 4:13-16 points to the fleeting nature of leadership--does this suggest a contradiction in views on societal structure?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_8_16-17_conflict_with_other_biblical_revelations.htm">Does the author's emphasis on the limitation of human understanding in Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 conflict with other biblical texts that claim revelations of divine mysteries?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">They have heat.--</span>The nights in Palestine were often very cold, and it would seem (<a href="/exodus/22-26.htm" title="If you at all take your neighbor's raiment to pledge, you shall deliver it to him by that the sun goes down:">Exodus 22:26</a>) that it was common to sleep without any cover but the ordinary day garment; though see <a href="/isaiah/28-20.htm" title="For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.">Isaiah 28:20</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - The first example of the advantage of companionship spoke of the aid and support that are thus given; the present verse tells of the comfort thus brought. <span class="cmt_word">If two lie together, then they have heat.</span> The winter nights in Palestine are comparatively cold, and when, as in the case of the poorer inhabitants, the outer garment worn by day was used as the only blanket during sleep (<a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exodus 22:26, 27</a>), it was a comfort to have the additional warmth of a friend lying under the same coverlet. Solomon could have had no such experience. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/4-11.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">Again,</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(gam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</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">two</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lie down together,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁכְּב֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·kə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will keep warm;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2552.htm">Strong's 2552: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become warm</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but how</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥יךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’êḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can one</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְאֶחָ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | 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">keep warm {alone}?</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵחָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ḥām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3179.htm">Strong's 3179: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hot, to conceive</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:11 Again if two lie together then they (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:12" /></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>