Ecclesiastes 4 interlinear
The Hebrew text of Ecclesiastes 4 word by word, with each word’s gloss, a short parsing and its Strong’s number, and the King James Version for comparison.
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So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
וְשַׁבְתִּיand I returnedConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive perf 1 sg cH7725אֲנִיIpron 1 sg cH589וָאֶרְאֶהand I sawConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive impf 1 sg cH7200אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853כָּל־allnoun sg m cstrH3605הָעֲשֻׁקִיםthe oppressionsart + noun pl m absH6217אֲשֶׁרwhichRelative ParticleH834נַעֲשִׂים[were being] doneverb Niphal ptc pl m absH6213תַּחַתundernoun sg m cstrH8478הַשָּׁמֶשׁthe sunart + noun sg c absH8121וְהִנֵּהand there!conj + InterjectionH2009דִּמְעַת[the] tear[s] ofnoun sg f cstrH1832הָעֲשֻׁקִיםthe oppressedart + verb Qal ptc passive pl m absH6217וְאֵיןand notconj + noun sg m cstrH369לָהֶם[belonged] to the themprep Definite + sfx 3 pl mH9038מְנַחֵםa comforterverb Piel ptc sg m absH5162וּמִיַּדand [was] from [the] hand ofconj + prep + noun sg c cstrH3027עֹשְׁקֵיהֶםoppressors theirverb Qal ptc pl m cstr + sfx 3 pl mH6231כֹּחַpowernoun sg m absH3581וְאֵיןand there notconj + noun sg m cstrH369לָהֶם[belonged] to the themprep Definite + sfx 3 pl mH9038מְנַחֵם׃a comforterverb Piel ptc sg m absH5162 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
וְשַׁבֵּחַand I congratulatedconj + verb Piel inf cstrH7623אֲנִיIpron 1 sg cH589אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853הַמֵּתִיםthe deadart + verb Qal ptc pl m absH4191שֶׁכְּבָרwho alreadyRelative Particle + noun sg m absH3528מֵתוּthey had diedverb Qal perf 3 pl cH4191מִן־more thanprepH4480הַחַיִּיםthe livingart + adj pl m absH2416אֲשֶׁרwhoRelative ParticleH834הֵמָּהtheypron 3 pl mH1992חַיִּים[were] aliveadj pl m absH2416עֲדֶנָה׃still towardsadv + Directional sfxH5728 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
וְטוֹבand [is] goodconj + adj sg m absH2896מִשְּׁנֵיהֶםmore than both of themprep + Numerical adj du c cstr + sfx 3 pl mH8147אֵתobj.Object indicatorH853אֲשֶׁר־[one] whoRelative ParticleH834עֲדֶןstilladvH5728לֹאnotNegative ParticleH3808הָיָהhe has beenverb Qal perf 3 sg mH1961אֲשֶׁר[one] whoRelative ParticleH834לֹא־notNegative ParticleH3808רָאָהhe has seenverb Qal perf 3 sg mH7200אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853הַמַּעֲשֶׂהthe activityart + noun sg m absH4639הָרָעthe evilart + adj sg m absH7451אֲשֶׁרwhichRelative ParticleH834נַעֲשָׂהit is doneverb Niphal perf 3 sg mH6213תַּחַתundernoun sg m cstrH8478הַשָּׁמֶשׁ׃the sunart + noun sg c absH8121 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
וְרָאִיתִיand I consideredConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive perf 1 sg cH7200אֲנִיIpron 1 sg cH589אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853כָּל־allnoun sg m cstrH3605עָמָל[the] toilnoun sg c absH5999וְאֵתand obj.conj + Object indicatorH853כָּל־allnoun sg m cstrH3605כִּשְׁרוֹן[the] skill ofnoun sg m cstrH3788הַמַּעֲשֶׂהthe workart + noun sg m absH4639כִּיthatConditional ParticleH3588הִיאitpron 3 sg fH1931קִנְאַת־[is] envy ofnoun sg f cstrH7068אִישׁeveryonenoun sg m absH376מֵרֵעֵהוּfrom neighbor hisprep + noun sg m cstr + sfx 3 sg mH7453גַּם־alsoadvH1571זֶהthisDemonstrative ParticleH2088הֶבֶל[is] futilitynoun sg m absH1892וּרְעוּתand striving ofconj + noun sg f cstrH7469רוּחַ׃windnoun sg f absH7307 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
הַכְּסִילthe foolart + adj sg m absH3684חֹבֵק[is] foldingverb Qal ptc sg m absH2263אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853יָדָיוhands hisnoun du c cstr + sfx 3 sg mH3027וְאֹכֵלand [is] eatingconj + verb Qal ptc sg m absH398אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853בְּשָׂרוֹ׃own flesh hisnoun sg m cstr + sfx 3 sg mH1320 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
טוֹב[is] goodadj sg m absH2896מְלֹאfullness ofnoun sg m cstrH4393כַףhand ofnoun sg f cstrH3709נָחַתquietnessnoun sg f absH5183מִמְּלֹאmore than [the] fullness ofprep + noun sg m cstrH4393חָפְנַיִםtwo handsnoun du m absH2651עָמָלtoilnoun sg c absH5999וּרְעוּתand striving ofconj + noun sg f cstrH7469רוּחַ׃windnoun sg f absH7307 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
וְשַׁבְתִּיand I returnedConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive perf 1 sg cH7725אֲנִיIpron 1 sg cH589וָאֶרְאֶהand I sawConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive impf 1 sg cH7200הֶבֶלfutilitynoun sg m absH1892תַּחַתundernoun sg m cstrH8478הַשָּׁמֶשׁ׃the sunart + noun sg c absH8121 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
יֵשׁthereNumerical adj sg c absH3426אֶחָד[was] one [person]Numerical adj sg f absH259וְאֵיןand there notconj + noun sg m cstrH369שֵׁנִי[was] a secondNumerical position adj sg m absH8145גַּםalsoadvH1571בֵּןa sonnoun sg m absH1121וָאָחand a brotherconj + noun sg m absH251אֵין־notnoun sg m cstrH369לוֹ[belonged] to the himprep Definite + sfx 3 sg mH9033וְאֵיןand there notconj + noun sg m cstrH369קֵץ[was] an endnoun sg m absH7093לְכָל־to allprep + noun sg m cstrH3605עֲמָלוֹtoil hisnoun sg c cstr + sfx 3 sg mH5999גַּם־alsoadvH1571עֵינוֹeye hisnoun sg f cstr + sfx 3 sg mH5869לֹא־notNegative ParticleH3808תִשְׂבַּעit was satisfiedverb Qal impf 3 sg fH7646עֹשֶׁרwealthnoun sg m absH6239וּלְמִיand for whom?conj + prep + Interrogative pronH4310אֲנִי[am] Ipron 1 sg cH589עָמֵלa laboreradj sg m absH6001וּמְחַסֵּרand deprivingconj + verb Piel ptc sg m absH2637אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853נַפְשִׁיself mynoun sg f cstr + sfx 1 sg cH5315מִטּוֹבָהfrom goodprep + noun sg f absH2896גַּם־alsoadvH1571זֶהthisDemonstrative ParticleH2088הֶבֶל[is] futilitynoun sg m absH1892וְעִנְיַןand [is] a task ofconj + noun sg m cstrH6045רָעeviladj sg m absH7451הוּא׃itpron 3 sg mH1931 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
טוֹבִים[are] goodadj pl m absH2896הַשְּׁנַיִםthe two [people]art + Numerical adj du c absH8147מִן־more thanprepH4480הָאֶחָדthe oneart + Numerical adj sg f absH259אֲשֶׁרthatRelative ParticleH834יֵשׁ־thereNumerical adj sg c absH3426לָהֶםfor the themprep Definite + sfx 3 pl mH9038שָׂכָר[is] a rewardnoun sg m absH7939טוֹבgoodadj sg m absH2896בַּעֲמָלָם׃for toil theirprep + noun sg c cstr + sfx 3 pl mH5999 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.
כִּיthatConditional ParticleH3588אִם־exceptConditional ParticleH518יִפֹּלוּthey will fall downverb Qal impf 3 pl mH5307הָאֶחָדthe oneart + Numerical adj sg f absH259יָקִיםhe will raiseverb Hiphil impf 3 sg mH6965אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853חֲבֵרוֹcompanion hisnoun sg m cstr + sfx 3 sg mH2270וְאִילוֹand woe! to the himconj + Interrogative Particle + prep Definite + sfx 3 sg mH337הָאֶחָדthe oneart + Numerical adj sg f absH259שֶׁיִּפּוֹלwho he will fall downRelative Particle + verb Qal impf 3 sg mH5307וְאֵיןand there notconj + noun sg m cstrH369שֵׁנִי[is] a second [person]Numerical position adj sg m absH8145לַהֲקִימוֹ׃to raise himprep + verb Hiphil inf cstr + sfx 3 sg mH6965 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
גַּםalsoadvH1571אִם־ifConditional ParticleH518יִשְׁכְּבוּthey will lie downverb Qal impf 3 pl mH7901שְׁנַיִםtwo [people]Numerical adj du c absH8147וְחַםand it will be warmConsecutive conj + verb Qal Consecutive perf 3 sg mH2552לָהֶםto the themprep Definite + sfx 3 pl mH9038וּלְאֶחָדand to one [person]conj + prep + Numerical adj sg f absH259אֵיךְhow?Interrogative ParticleH349יֵחָם׃will it be warmverb Qal impf 3 sg mH2552 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
וְאִם־and thoughconj + Conditional ParticleH518יִתְקְפוֹsomeone will overpower himverb Qal impf 3 sg m + sfx 3 sg mH8630הָאֶחָדthe one [person]art + Numerical adj sg f absH259הַשְּׁנַיִםthe two [people]art + Numerical adj du c absH8147יַעַמְדוּthey will standverb Qal impf 3 pl mH5975נֶגְדּוֹbefore himadj sg m cstr + sfx 3 sg mH5048וְהַחוּטand the threadconj + art + noun sg m absH2339הַמְשֻׁלָּשׁthe threefoldart + verb Pual ptc passive sg m absH8027לֹאnotNegative ParticleH3808בִמְהֵרָהin quicklyprep + advH4120יִנָּתֵק׃it will be torn apartverb Niphal impf 3 sg mH5423 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
טוֹב[is] goodadj sg m absH2896יֶלֶדa youthnoun sg m absH3206מִסְכֵּןpooradj sg m absH4542וְחָכָםand wiseconj + adj sg m absH2450מִמֶּלֶךְmore than a kingprep + noun sg m absH4428זָקֵןoldadj sg m absH2205וּכְסִילand a foolconj + adj sg m absH3684אֲשֶׁרwhoRelative ParticleH834לֹא־notNegative ParticleH3808יָדַעhe knowsverb Qal perf 3 sg mH3045לְהִזָּהֵרto be warnedprep + verb Niphal inf cstrH2094עוֹד׃stilladj sg m absH5750 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
כִּי־forConditional ParticleH3588מִבֵּיתfrom [the] house ofprep + noun sg m cstrH1004הָסוּרִיםthe prisonersart + verb Qal ptc passive pl m absH631יָצָאhe came outverb Qal perf 3 sg mH3318לִמְלֹךְto become kingprep + verb Qal inf cstrH4427כִּיforConditional ParticleH3588גַּםalsoadvH1571בְּמַלְכוּתוֹin own kingdom hisprep + noun sg f cstr + sfx 3 sg mH4438נוֹלַדhe had been bornverb Niphal perf 3 sg mH3205רָשׁ׃a poor [person]verb Qal ptc sg m absH7326 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
רָאִיתִיI sawverb Qal perf 1 sg cH7200אֶת־obj.Object indicatorH853כָּל־allnoun sg m cstrH3605הַחַיִּיםthe livingart + adj pl m absH2416הַמְהַלְּכִיםwho are walking aboutart + verb Piel ptc pl m absH1980תַּחַתundernoun sg m cstrH8478הַשָּׁמֶשׁthe sunart + noun sg c absH8121עִםwithprepH5973הַיֶּלֶדthe youthart + noun sg m absH3206הַשֵּׁנִיthe secondart + Numerical position adj sg m absH8145אֲשֶׁרwhoRelative ParticleH834יַעֲמֹדhe will ariseverb Qal impf 3 sg mH5975תַּחְתָּיו׃in place of himnoun pl m cstr + sfx 3 sg mH8478 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
אֵין־there notnoun sg m cstrH369קֵץ[is] an endnoun sg m absH7093לְכָל־to allprep + noun sg m cstrH3605הָעָםthe peopleart + noun sg m absH5971לְכֹלto allprep + noun sg m absH3605אֲשֶׁר־[those] whomRelative ParticleH834הָיָהhe wasverb Qal perf 3 sg mH1961לִפְנֵיהֶםto before themprep + noun pl m cstr + sfx 3 pl mH6440גַּםalsoadvH1571הָאַחֲרוֹנִיםthe subsequent [people]art + adj pl m absH314לֹאnotNegative ParticleH3808יִשְׂמְחוּ־they will rejoiceverb Qal impf 3 pl mH8055בוֹin the himprep Definite + sfx 3 sg mH9033כִּי־forConditional ParticleH3588גַם־alsoadvH1571זֶהthisDemonstrative ParticleH2088הֶבֶל[is] futilitynoun sg m absH1892וְרַעְיוֹןand a striving ofconj + noun sg m cstrH7475רוּחַ׃windnoun sg f absH7307
Hebrew: Leningrad Codex. Tagging, glosses and parsing: STEPBible.org, Tyndale House Cambridge (TAHOT, TAGNT; CC BY 4.0), adapted. Strong’s numbers link to word studies.