Ecclesiastes 4:5

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

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

Isa 9:20 : 20 And one 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:
Prov 6:10-11 : 10 [ Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.
Prov 11:17 : 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Prov 12:27 : 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
Prov 13:4 : 4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Prov 20:4 : 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Prov 24:33-34 : 33 [ Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.
Job 13:14 : 14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

Similar Verses (AI)

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

Eccl 4:6
77%
6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
Prov 19:24
75%
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Prov 26:15
75%
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Prov 18:2
75%
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Eccl 4:4
73%
4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Prov 30:22
73%
22For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food;
Eccl 10:2-3
2 verses
73%
2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Prov 19:3
72%
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
Prov 26:4-6
3 verses
72%
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
Prov 15:14
72%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Eccl 10:12-15
4 verses
72%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Prov 21:25
72%
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
Eccl 6:7-8
2 verses
72%
7All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?
Isa 9:20
71%
20And one 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:
Prov 13:16
71%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 5:11
71%
11And thou mourn at thy latter end, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
Prov 18:6-7
2 verses
71%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Eccl 7:6
71%
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Prov 12:15
71%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Prov 17:16
71%
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Prov 29:11
71%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 11:29
71%
29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Prov 10:4
71%
4He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Prov 19:15
70%
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Eccl 2:25
70%
25For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
Prov 12:23
70%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prov 26:9-11
3 verses
70%
9[ As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
Prov 10:23
70%
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Ps 107:17
70%
17Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Prov 30:32
70%
32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, [Lay] thy hand upon thy mouth.
Prov 17:21
70%
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
Isa 44:20
70%
20He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Job 5:2
70%
2For vexation killeth the foolish man, And jealousy slayeth the silly one.
Prov 16:26
70%
26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].
Eccl 2:15
70%
15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
Prov 24:33
69%
33[ Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;
Prov 15:5
69%
5A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
Eccl 5:17
69%
17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.
Prov 14:16
69%
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
Prov 14:8
69%
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.