Ecclesiastes 4:12

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְאִֽם־יִתְקְפוֹ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם יַעַמְד֣וּ נֶגְדּ֑וֹ וְהַחוּט֙ הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ לֹ֥א בִמְהֵרָ֖ה יִנָּתֵֽק׃

Transliteration

And-if-yitqəpô the-ʾeḥād the-šənayim yaʿamdû negdô and-the-ḥûṭ the-məšullāš not in-məhērāh yinnātēq

Grammar Details

*yitqəpô*: Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - he overpowers him
*ʾeḥād*: number, masculine singular - one (person)
*šənayim*: numeral, masculine dual - two
*yaʿamdû*: Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine plural - they will stand
*negdô*: preposition + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - against him
*ḥûṭ*: noun, masculine singular - thread/cord
*məšullāš*: Pual participle, masculine singular - threefold/tripled
*məhērāh*: adverb - quickly/speedily
*yinnātēq*: Niphal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - it will be broken

Word Meanings

*yitqəpô*: overpowers him/attacks him/prevails against him
*yaʿamdû negdô*: will stand against him/will withstand him/will resist him
*ḥûṭ ha-məšullāš*: threefold cord/triple-braided rope
*məhērāh*: quickly/easily/hastily
*yinnātēq*: will be broken/will be torn apart/will be snapped

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Eph 4:3 : 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Dan 3:16-17 : 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Eccl 4:8-11
4 verses
85%
8There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]?
Amos 3:3
70%
3Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?
Eccl 4:13
69%
13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
Job 41:16-17
2 verses
69%
16One is so near to another, That no air can come between them.
17They are joined one to another; They stick together, so that they cannot be sundered.
Mark 3:24-25
2 verses
68%
24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Eccl 7:19
68%
19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
Prov 30:29
67%
29There are three things which are stately in their march, Yea, four which are stately in going:
Deut 25:11
67%
11When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets;
Eccl 4:3
67%
3yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Luke 12:52
67%
52for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Deut 19:15
66%
15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
Matt 18:16
66%
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Prov 18:24
66%
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Prov 30:21
66%
21For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear:
Prov 17:17-18
2 verses
66%
17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
Eccl 4:6
66%
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
Luke 11:22
66%
22but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
Prov 11:14
66%
14Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Prov 24:5-6
2 verses
66%
5A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might.
6For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Matt 19:6
66%
6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Prov 27:17
66%
17Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
1 Sam 2:4
66%
4The bows of the mighty men are broken; And they that stumbled are girded with strength.
Isa 1:31
65%
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Prov 24:10
65%
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
Mark 10:8-9
2 verses
65%
8and the two shall become one {G3391} flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh.
9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Gen 2:24
65%
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Prov 15:22
65%
22Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Eccl 12:6
65%
6before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
Luke 14:31
65%
31Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Eccl 9:14
65%
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Job 9:3-4
2 verses
64%
3If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4[ He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered? --
Deut 21:15
64%
15If a man have two wives, the one beloved, and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated;
Jer 15:12
64%
12[Can one break] [iron,] [even iron] [from the north,] [and brass?]
Prov 30:18
64%
18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:
Eccl 7:14
64%
14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything [that shall be] after him.
Ps 37:16
64%
16Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.
Eccl 4:15
64%
15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.
2 Cor 13:1
64%
1This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established.
Prov 21:22
64%
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Job 12:13
64%
13With [God] is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.