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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.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/4-4.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:4">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 4:5 <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 4:6">►</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 />Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The fool folds his hands in embrace and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands [together] and consumes his own flesh [destroying himself by idleness and apathy].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Fools will fold their hands and starve to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A fool folds his hands and wastes away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They say that we would be fools to fold our hands and let ourselves starve to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The fool crosses his arms and starves himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The fool is clasping his hands, and eating his own flesh:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The foolish one folded his hands together, and ate his flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Fools fold their arms and consume their own flesh”— <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Fools fold their hands and consume their own flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands together and suffers hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The fool clasps his hands and eats his flesh<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The fool foldeth his hands together, And eateth his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/4-5.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=700" 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">4</span>I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: hak·kə·sîl (Art:: N-ms) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">The fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/2263.htm" title="2263: ḥō·ḇêq (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To clasp, embrace. A primitive root; to clasp.">folds</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/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·’ō·ḵêl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">and consumes</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/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śā·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">his own flesh.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.…<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="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a></span><br />How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? / A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Proverbs 24:30-34</a></span><br />I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Proverbs 19:15</a></span><br />Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Proverbs 21:25-26</a></span><br />The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. / All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-14.htm">Proverbs 26:14-16</a></span><br />As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. / The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. / The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Proverbs 12:24</a></span><br />The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></span><br />The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a></span><br />Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></span><br />Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Proverbs 15:19</a></span><br />The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Proverbs 20:4</a></span><br />The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:11-12</a></span><br />and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-9.htm">Proverbs 18:9</a></span><br />Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23</a></span><br />There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.</p><p class="hdg">fool</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Proverbs 6:10,11</a></b></br> <i>Yet</i> a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Proverbs 12:27</a></b></br> The slothful <i>man</i> roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man <i>is</i> precious.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></b></br> The soul of the sluggard desireth, and <i>hath</i> nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.</p><p class="hdg">eateth that is with envy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-14.htm">Job 13:14</a></b></br> Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Proverbs 11:17</a></b></br> The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but <i>he that is</i> cruel troubleth his own flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20</a></b></br> And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/31-24.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Clasping</a> <a href="/psalms/119-139.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Foldeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-33.htm">Folding</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Folds</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Clasping</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-13.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Foldeth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-3.htm">Folding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Folds</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-11.htm">Together</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'; 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In biblical times, folding one's hands was a metaphor for inactivity and neglect of responsibilities. <a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Proverbs 6:10-11</a> warns against such behavior, indicating that laziness leads to poverty. The "fool" in biblical literature often represents someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, ignoring the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). This imagery of folding hands contrasts with the diligent worker who is commended throughout Scripture (<a href="/proverbs/31-13.htm">Proverbs 31:13-27</a>).<p><b>and consumes his own flesh.</b><br>This vivid expression implies self-destruction and the consequences of laziness. In a cultural context, consuming one's own flesh can be seen as a metaphor for self-harm or ruin due to neglect and idleness. It reflects the idea that laziness leads to a lack of provision, resulting in metaphorical or even literal starvation. This phrase can be connected to <a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20</a>, where people are described as devouring their own flesh due to internal strife and sin. Theologically, it underscores the destructive nature of sin and folly, contrasting with the life-giving wisdom found in Christ, who offers sustenance and fulfillment (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fool.htm">The Fool</a></b><br>In biblical literature, the fool is often characterized by a lack of wisdom, understanding, and reverence for God. The fool's actions are self-destructive and contrary to the wisdom that comes from God.<br><br>2. <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. Ecclesiastes is a reflection on the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Ecclesiastes is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of spiritual and practical life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_idleness.htm">The Dangers of Idleness</a></b><br>Idleness is not merely a lack of activity but a destructive force that can lead to one's downfall. The imagery of "consuming one's own flesh" suggests self-destruction and the consequences of neglecting one's responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_work.htm">Wisdom in Work</a></b><br>The Bible consistently teaches the value of diligent work. Engaging in productive activities is a way to honor God and fulfill our purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-destruction_through_foolishness.htm">Self-Destruction through Foolishness</a></b><br>Foolishness is not just a lack of knowledge but a willful disregard for wisdom. This leads to self-destructive behaviors that harm oneself and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_balance.htm">The Importance of Balance</a></b><br>While work is important, balance is key. Ecclesiastes also warns against overwork and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of relationships and well-being.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_implications_of_laziness.htm">Spiritual Implications of Laziness</a></b><br>Laziness can also have spiritual consequences, leading to a lack of growth and maturity in one's faith. It is important to be diligent in spiritual disciplines as well.<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/how_does_ecclesiastes_4_5-6_align_with_proverbs.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5–6 appears to favor quietness over hard work—how is this consistent with scriptures that commend diligence (e.g., Proverbs 6:6–8)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_unhappy_marriages.htm">What does the Bible say about unhappy marriages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_folly.htm">What does the Bible say about foolishness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_your_biblical_adversary.htm">What does the Bible say about road rage?</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>(5) <span class= "bld">Eateth his own flesh.--</span>Interpreters have usually taken these words metaphorically, as in <a href="/psalms/27-2.htm" title="When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came on me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.">Psalm 27:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-26.htm" title="And I will feed them that oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.">Isaiah 49:26</a>; <a href="/micah/3-3.htm" title="Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.">Micah 3:3</a>, and understood them as a condemnation of the sluggard's conduct as suicidal. But it has been proposed, taking the verse in connection with that which precedes and those which follow, to understand them literally, "eats his meat;" the sense being that, considering the emulation and envy involved in all successful exertion, one is tempted to say that the sluggard does better who eats his meat in quiet. There is, however, no exact parallel to the phrase "eats <span class= "ital">his </span>flesh;" and I think that if the latter were the meaning intended, it would have been formally introduced in some such way as, "Wherefore I praised the sluggard." Adopting, then, the ancient interpretation, we understand the course of conduct recommended to be the golden mean between the ruinous sloth of the fool and the vexatious toil of the ambitious man.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - The connection of this verse with the preceding is this: activity, diligence, and skill indeed bring success, but success is accompanied by sad results. Should we, then, sink into apathy, relinquish work, let things slide? Nay, none but the fool (<span class="accented">kesil</span>), the insensate, half-brutish man, doth this. <span class="cmt_word">The fool foldeth his hands together</span>. The attitude expresses laziness and disinclination for active labor, like that of the sluggard in <a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Proverbs 6:10</a>. <span class="cmt_word">And eateth his own flesh</span>. Ginsburg, Plumptre, and others take these words to mean "and yet eats his meat," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. gets that enjoyment from his sluggishness which is denied to active diligence. They refer, in proof of this interpretation, to <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Exodus 16:8</a>; <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Exodus 21:28</a>; <a href="/isaiah/22-13.htm">Isaiah 22:13</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/39-17.htm">Ezekiel 39:17</a>, in which passages, however, the phrase is never equivalent to "eating his food." The expression is really equivalent to "destroys himself," "brings ruin upon himself." Thus we have in <a href="/psalms/27-2.htm">Psalm 27:2</a>, "Evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh;" and in <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Micah 3:3</a>, "Who eat the flesh of my people" (comp. <a href="/isaiah/49-26.htm">Isaiah 49:26</a>). The sluggard is guilty of moral suicide; he takes no trouble to provide for his necessities, and suffers extremities in consequence. Some see in this verse and the following an objection and its answer. There is no occasion for this view, and it is not in keeping with the context; but it contains an intimation of the true exposition, which makes ver. 6 a proverbial statement of the sluggard's position. The verbs in the text are participial in form, so that the Vulgate rendering, which supplies a verb, is quite admissible: <span class="accented">Stultus complicat manna suas</span>, <span class="accented">et comedit carnes suas</span>, <span class="accented">dicens</span>: <span class="accented">Melior est</span>, etc. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/4-5.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">The fool</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכְּסִיל֙</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kə·sîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stupid fellow, dullard, fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">folds</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹבֵ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·ḇêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2263.htm">Strong's 2263: </a> </span><span class="str2">To clasp, embrace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and consumes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֹכֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ō·ḵêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his own flesh.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śā·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands together (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:6" /></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>