Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. The Word of a King “Where the word of a king is, there is power.” — Ecclesiastes viii. 2. I p. 13). Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 5 ... An integrated digital Bible study library - including complete notes from the Believer's Bible Commentary and the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV and NRSV) - is just a step away! There is nothing wrong with that, but it is showing the principle that unity is better than singularity, and as people who are likewise unified with those who were there before, the institution, the family, or whatever, keeps getting stronger and stronger. He drew us with the cords of love, and with the bands of a man. That “union is strength,” is the theme of many a fable and proverb. There is iniquity, that which is out of plumb, or off the line, or out of the level. 1 But I returned and saw all the oppressed who are made [so] under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they have no consoler, and from the hand of their oppressors there is power, but they have no consoler. Chapter 4. Ecclesiastes 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. This discourse on friendship reminds one of the manly and tender attachment of David and Jonathan. It was the cords of this triple enemy that held us fast. Not three, perhaps, but thirty, nay, thirty thousand evil influences were dragging us down and holding us fast. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage) GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12): “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work (the investment they put into their relationship): (1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. These cords bind us to the horns of the altar. Let us see. We were in a horrible pit by reason of sin. We lose much of our strength in the loss of friends; our cable is as it were untwisted. And a threefold cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes has been cited in the writings of past and current Catholic Church leaders. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him. III. If you’ve ever read the book of Ecclesiastes you’re probably aware of the contents of this last chapter. “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” It took years of straining, and tugging, and pulling by a hand Omnipotent to break these cords in pieces. Have a threefold cord in your friendships. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament "And if one shall violently assail him who is alone, two shall withstand him; and (finally) a threefold cord is not quickly broken asunder." True charity increaseth in strength as it does in number, (St. Jerome; Worthington) though friendship may not admit of more than two persons. No; God had pity on us. Ecclesiastes Commentary; JOHN SCHULTZ. See 2 Samuel 10:9-12. prevail against = overpower. [1 Samuel 26:6] Christ, when to begin his passion in the garden, took Peter, James, and John with him, for the benefit of their prayers and company, though they served him but sorrily. For example, doctors of the Church have cited Ecclesiastes. Home × Home; Bible. There is an old saying among folks, that “Two are good company, but three are none.” And they expect us to believe that! Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 (Read Ecclesiastes 4:1-3) It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 The story flow is translated in a choppy manner, but it goes like this: A young man born without wealth, who even spent time in prison, unexpectedly rises to power. is a lively emblem of a close alliance. To this day travellers in the East are too much exposed to marauders to allow of journeying singly. Have a threefold cord in your difficulties and dangers. The same instruction is given by this threefold cord; while it remains twisted together, it is not easily broke, but if the threads are untwisted and unloosed, they are soon snapped asunder: so persons in religious fellowship, be they more or fewer, while they keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, they are terrible, as an army with banners, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against them. Let us hold more closely together than ever--pastors, officers, people, for “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Do we not know this from sad experience? (Haydock) --- Some explain this triple cord of the blessed Trinity, or of the three monastic vows [poverty, chastity, and obedience], the theological virtues [faith, hope, and charity], or the parts of penance, &c. "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. ), it may be understood of a violent assault, as well as of a completed subjugation; as נשׂא means to lift up and carry; עמד, to tread and to stand. (g) By this proverb he declares how necessary it is, that men should live in society. This particular verse seems to be about mostly exactly what it is says at face value. Ecclesiastes 12 Meaning Commentary Summary. The Tyndale commentary notes on Ecclesiastes 5:20 Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answers him in the joy of his heart. Bible > Ecclesiastes > Ecclesiastes 4 > Ecclesiastes 4:9 Clarke's Ecclesiastes 4:9 Bible Commentary Two are better than one - Married life is infinitely to be preferred to this kind of life, for the very reasons alleged below, and which require no explanation. David Guzik commentary on Ecclesiastes 4, which looks at the tragedy of oppression, and the bittersweet taste of accomplishments causing envy with others. So the Vulgate. “And if one shall violently assail him who is alone, two shall withstand him; and (finally) a threefold cord is not quickly broken asunder.” The form yithqepho for yithqephehu, Job 15:24, is like hirdepho, Hosea 8:3 = hirdephehu, Judges 9:40. If we as church members and fellow-Christians are thus one in heart, we shall be irresistible. 3. takaph, supposed to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in Job 14:20 with Job 15:24 (the only three occurrences). A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Explanation and Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:12. Ecclesiastes 4, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a … Appeared again immediately, ascended mast, put rigging right, and came down. But the Syriac and Septuagint, favour the English version. My Bible, sir. I. Ecclesiastes 4 Commentary: In Ecclesiastes 4 and 5 the Preacher wants to talk to us about the following subjects:. When temptations come down hard on you, it will hold and save you. Ecclesiastes 4:12 in all English translations. Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. Ecclesiastes 4:12. Jonathan will not go without his armourbearer - David without Abishai. [Psalms 122:3] The Church is "terrible as an army with banners"; [Song of Solomon 6:4] "the gates of hell cannot prevail against her." I have read somewhere that the ancient Thebans had in their army a band of men who were pledged to friendship and fellowship with each other. Thank God! There is sin, the missing of the mark, the going beyond by the arrow, or the falling short of the target. To this day travellers in the East are too much exposed to marauders to allow of journeying singly. I do not know how many threads were in them, how many strands they contained. Ordered, during a storm, to go up and put the rigging right. This doctrine is taught in the fable of the bundle of sticks the old man gave to his sons to break; which, while fastened together, could not be done; but, when art bound, and took out singly, were easily snapped asunder; teaching them thereby unity among themselves, as their greatest security against their common enemy. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament "Moreover, if two lie together, then there is heat to them: but how can it be warm with one who is alone?" This doctrine is taught in the fable of the bundle of sticks the old man gave to his sons to break; which, while fastened together, could not be done; but, when art bound, and took out singly, were easily snapped asunder; teaching them thereby unity among themselves, as their greatest security against their common enemy. Ecclesiastes 4:12, ESV: "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." a threefold cord. (J. F. Ecclesiastes 4:12 - And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Oppression; Work; Companionship; Wisdom; God; Riches; Enjoying life; And really – what more is there to life? תקף always means "to prevail against, to overpower," never "to attack;" compare the adjective תקיף "powerful" in Ecclesiastes 6:10. Untwist the cord and the separate threads are easily "broken.". Who would have imagined three years ago, when you began teaching at … 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. They did according to their own will, and none could check them; for, as Solomon said, “the king’s wrath is as the roaring … Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. 4:13; 9:15[twice],16) and means "a poor man." And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Sin is of various shapes and sorts. As a young king, he listens well and rules well, but in old age, he becomes proud, losing his throne to a younger man. It means an Assembler or Convener of a meeting and a Preacher to such a meeting. It took God’s dear Son to break them, the Father’s love, and the Spirit’s power, and our own faith and repentance, begotten in our hearts from above. Each of us must walk in the light we have. He intimates that three are better than two. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken; or "in haste" (c); as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still; they are able to make head against an enemy; and to conquer him, "vis unita fortior est": if a family, community, city, or kingdom, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. It is by such cords as these, threefold cords, cords that are not quickly broken, that we are now held captive. Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! Christ sent forth the seventy by pairs, not singly (Luke 10:1), and promised, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:18; Matthew 19:1-30). Can’t know Him. Watch our overview video on the book of Ecclesiastes, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. So, in these chapters we get a … Story of youth at sea. — “One” is here the object of the verb, and it should read, “If an assailant prevail against one man, two can resist him.”. Try it free for 30 days. The subject alluded to here is the enemy which must be supplied from the tone and circumstances of what is said, (Ewald § 294 b.) And why should תקף, if it can mean overpowering, not also mean doing violence to by means of a sudden attack? INTRODUCTION. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. Read Ecclesiastes 4 commentary using Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. And if one prevail against him, &c.— And though one should be strong, the two will make a stand against him; for a three-stringed cord shall not quickly be broken. KINGS in Solomon’s day had a vast amount of power, for their word was absolute. The author must not be considered as arguing from the point of view of mere prudence. Instead of the definite specific art. (c) "in festinatia", Montanus; "in celeritate", Vatablus; "in festinatione", Rambachius. Houbigant renders it, But if one should be circumvented, and they two be present [to assist him] then the three-fold cord will not easily be broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 - And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. (T. "While numbers, wrongly related, can be divisive or disastrous….in their right form they can not only add to the benefits of union but multiply them" (Kidner p. 51). But if you weave these three together into a cord, and hold on by it, you are safe. And if this is true of the united love and affections of saints, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and Spirit; that threefold cord, with which the saints are drawn and held; and of which it may be said, that it not only is not quickly broken, but that it cannot be broken at all; and therefore those who are held by it are in the utmost safety. [Song of Solomon 6:9] "Jerusalem is a city compact together." If an enemy, or a thief, or a robber, attack anyone of them, in friendship and fellowship together, and is more than a match for him; both joined together will be able to resist him; so that he shall not succeed in his enterprise, and do the mischief he designed; see 2 Samuel 10:11; Thus, when Satan attacks a single believer, which he chooses to do when alone; so he tempted Eve in the garden, and Christ in the wilderness; and one or more fellow Christians know of it, they are capable of helping their tempted friend, by their advice and counsel, they not being ignorant of Satan's devices; and by striving together in their prayers to God for him: so when false teachers make their efforts, as they usually do, Satan like, upon the weaker sex, and, when alone, they too often succeed; but when saints stand fast in one spirit, and strive together for the faith of the Gospel, they stand their ground, withstand the enemy, and maintain truth; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken; or "in haste"F3במהרה "in festinatia", Montanus; "in celeritate", Vatablus; "in festinatione", Rambachius. St. Have you any friendship without Jesus? Titus 2:12, Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 with 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10. 4. Cord. There was no ladder placed for us to climb; we did not cut notches in the pit-side by our own unaided strength, and so help ourselves up to light and liberty. There is also transgression, breaking through God’s settled rules, passing beyond the bounds that He has fixed, making landmarks of our own instead of regarding God’s. Is yours twofold or threefold? Explain how some people have no more. - AFTB. ); but the two אם, Ecclesiastes 4:10, Ecclesiastes 4:11, which are equivalent to ἐάν, exclude such a pure logical εἰ . If a man overpowers him that is alone, yet two shall withstand. Christ’s love, Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension into heaven--these are as another threefold cord. Before we start studying Ecclesiastes 12 meaning I want to deal with a few matters before we get into the text. [2 Samuel 1:17-27] Hence St Paul counted it a special mercy to him that Epaphroditus recovered. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. "My dove is but one." Each of these may be regarded as a strand in the cord of sin, and all of us were held thereby. ... ( Ecclesiastes 4:12) of social ties suggests the subject of civil government. “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” I think this is another threefold cord by which we are bound; bound to one another, bound to the cross of Christ, bound to this blessed book, and bound to heaven. [Philippians 1:27]. 12. Funiculus triplex difficile rumpitur is one of the winged expressions used by Koheleth. "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Chapter Four OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To reflect upon the Preacher's observations gleaned from his search for the purpose of life under the sun 2) To consider the vanity of skillful work, isolation, and popularity 3) To appreciate the value of friendship and working together SUMMARY The Preacher continues to share his observations gleaned during … A threefold cord - proverbial for a combination of many, e.g., husband, wife, and children (Proverbs 11:14); so Christians (Colossians 2:2; Colossians 2:19). There is God--one. God bade Gideon to go down to the camp of the Midianites, and if he feared to go, then to take with him his servant Phurah. Of three who hold together, 12 a says nothing; the advance from two to three is thus made in the manner of a numerical proverb ( vid ., Proverbs, vol. See App-76. Some apply this to the three principal graces, faith, hope, and love, which are abiding ones; and, though they may sometimes be weak and low in their acts and exercise, can never be lost. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." threefold cord—proverbial for a combination of many—for example, husband, wife, and children (Pr 11:14); so Christians (Lu 10:1; Col 2:2, 19). 'If (an enemy) prevail against him, the one'-him in his isolation-because of his standing alone. Saint Jerome wrote a commentary on Ecclesiastes. A threefold cord is not quickly broken; if a man have not only one, but two or more friends, he is so much the safer and the happier. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. The Turks pray daily that the differences among us Christians may be heightened, for that will soonest undo us, and one of their emperors, when his council dissuaded him from a war against the Germans, because of their multitude, said that he feared them not, because sooner would his fingers be all of one length than their princes all of one mind. As soon as our eyes were opened and we saw this rope swinging, as it were, in front of us, God gave us strength to leap to it, and He did the rest; nay, He did that, for we had not believed unless the Spirit had prompted faith. David Guzik commentary on Ecclesiastes 2, where life is looked at in view of death, which is certain and cruel, and how to live "under the sun". Ver. Hebrew. He, in the person of His Son, came to the pit’s mouth and looked down with the eyes of love upon us. A proverbial confirmation well interpreted by Lyra: Quanto plures et boni in amicitia coniuncti sunt, tanto status eorum melioratur, - The more they are that unite, so they be good, the better it is with them. Ecclesiastes 4:12. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? This is speaking of the strength that comes with the bonding of two, or three, together. הח הם, we make use of the indefinite. II. Ecclesiastes 3. And if one prevail against him, &c.] Vis unita fortior. Ecclesiastes 4:11. Some apply this to the three principal graces, faith, hope, and love, which are abiding ones; and, though they may sometimes be weak and low in their acts and exercise, can never be lost. 12.And if one prevail — “One” is here the object of the verb, and it should read, “If an assailant prevail against one man, two can resist him.” A threefold cord is a lively emblem of a close alliance. They were threefold cords, and they were not easily broken. SERMONS ON ECCLESIASTES - Faith Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi And if this is true of the united love and affections of saints, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and Spirit; that threefold cord, with which the saints are drawn and held; and of which it may be said, that it not only is not quickly broken, but that it cannot be broken at all; and therefore those who are held by it are in the utmost safety. And you--two. The form of the metaphor changes a little as we use it now. Ecclesiastes 4:12. If we take תקף in the sense of to overpower, then the meaning is: If one can overpower him who is alone, then, on the contrary, two can maintain their ground against him (Herzf. Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily “broken.”. I. אתקף = החזיק, and also at Job 14:20; Job 15:24 ( vid ., Comm . Satan knows the power of unity if we do not. Eccl. How have we got up? "While numbers, wrongly related, can be divisive or disastrous….in their right form they can not only add to the benefits of union but multiply them", "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them", John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Keil & Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms. In the Mishnic and Arab. It was by such cords as these--cords that are not quickly broken, threefold cords, that we were delivered from the power of sin. Companionship also brings with it protection and security. The image of a "threefold cord,"—in making a firm, strong cord, three threads were usually used,—is the more appropriate here, as the number two in general only represents plurality. Is that all? Toggle navigation. He is the third strand of the cord. That “union is strength,” is the theme of many a fable and proverb. It was by such cords as these that we were originally held in bondage. Various ideas could be found in the above illustration: 1. … I thought if I were drowned, I would like to have it with me.” Now here was a nice threefold cord--Prayer, the Bible, and Courage. John Trapp Complete Commentary. Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other. Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 4 ... Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. To a strong marriage, children born of that relationship only add increased strength to the family (Psalm "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one"s youth"). For prayer, sir: father always told me no time was ever lost in prayer.” “And what is that under your jacket?. The cord of three strands was one of the strongest made. Ecclesiastes Commentary - 103 Pages - Includes numerous quotes from other respected conservative sources, including almost 100 quotations from Michael Eaton's Tyndale OT Commentary (ranked as one of the best on Ecclesiastes). KJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses. They were therefore almost irresistible; they held together by a union caused by a living principle that suffused and inspired them all, therefore when the enemy came upon them it was like the sea breaking on the unmovable strand. threefold cord — proverbial for a combination of many - for example, husband, wife, and children (Proverbs 11:14); so Christians (Luke 10:1; Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:19). it is done, and that they can never be spliced again, nor ever cast about us as they were originally. [Matthew 16:18] Unity hath victory, but division breeds dissolution, as it did once in this island when Caesar first entered it. If there be anybody who wants you to go roads where Jesus can’t go with you, give up that company at once. My mother gave it to me when leaving home. There is no lasting ... is found only four times in Ecclesiastes (cf. 10 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 up. But whether it be understood inchoat. Note: Ecclesiastes, known in Hebrew as Kohelet, is in the Writings (Ketuvim) section of the Bible. 4. ; as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still; they are able to make head against an enemy; and to conquer him, "vis unita fortior est": if a family, community, city, or kingdom, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them. In this case too, he concludes that kingly power confers no lasting happiness. Religion for young folks as well as old. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. If one genuine friend is of greater value than riches, how much more two genuine friends? Have a threefold cord in your religion. Commentary by A. R. F AUSSETT. Dum singuli pugnant universi vincuntur, saith Tacitus of the ancient Britons. God bade Gideon to go down to the camp of the Midianites, and if he feared to go, then to take with him his servant Phurah. it signifies to seize, to lay hold of; in the Aram. And if one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold. If one prevail against him. Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. This discourse on friendship reminds one of the manly and tender attachment of David and Jonathan. 12. or not, in any case האחד is not the assailant, who is much rather the unnamed subj. That is a strong religion. Micah 6:8. The moral abominableness of isolating selfishness and heartless mammon worship are brought clearly to light by the unhappy positions in which they set men. Ecclesiastes 5. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Study the bible online using commentary on Ecclesiastes 4 and more! I wish you had it. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.". Desvoeux. Dempster.). A cord of three strands is not quickly... - Verse-by-Verse Commentary The following Scripture tells us something of the strength of more than one.
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