Ecclesiastes 4:12

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

And if one prevail against him, 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

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: King James VersionBest for: Original-language word studies

🎯 Translation Approach

Classic King James Version text presented with Strong's numbering to link English words to their underlying Hebrew and Greek terms. Prioritizes literal/formal correspondence while enabling original-language word study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Each English term is keyed to a Strong's number, enabling direct lookup of the underlying Hebrew or Greek word.
KJV text basis: Employs the classic King James Version wording known for formal equivalence and literary style.
Study-focused layout: Optimized for research and analysis, prioritizing lexical access over uninterrupted readability.
Concordance compatibility: Strong's numbers map to widely available concordances and lexicons for deeper study.

✅ Strengths

Strong linkage to original Hebrew/Greek via Strong's numbers
High concordance with source wording
Well-suited for in-depth word studies and exegesis
Widely recognized and referenced KJV text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language can be difficult for modern readers
Reference numbers can disrupt continuous reading
Less suitable for public or devotional reading compared to modern translations

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Students of biblical languages
Pastors and teachers
Serious Bible students
Researchers needing lexical linkage
Readers preferring KJV tradition

Consider alternatives for

New believers
Casual devotional reading
Children and young readers
English language learners

🔄 Compare with

ESVNASBNIVCSBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Eph 4:3 : 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Dan 3:16-17 : 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful 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 thine 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 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.
9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10For 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.
11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
Amos 3:3
70%
3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Eccl 4:13
69%
13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
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, 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 cannot stand.
Eccl 7:19
68%
19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Prov 30:29
67%
29There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
Deut 25:11
67%
11When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for 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 is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Luke 12:52
67%
52For from henceforth there shall be 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 the matter be established.
Matt 18:16
66%
16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Prov 18:24
66%
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Prov 30:21
66%
21For three things the earth is disquieted, 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 friend.
Eccl 4:6
66%
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Luke 11:22
66%
22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
Prov 11:14
66%
14Where no counsel is, the people fall: 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 strength.
6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Matt 19:6
66%
6Wherefore they are no more twain, 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%
31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Prov 24:10
65%
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Mark 10:8-9
2 verses
65%
8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, 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%
22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Eccl 12:6
65%
6Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Luke 14:31
65%
31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Eccl 9:14
65%
14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
Job 9:3-4
2 verses
64%
3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
Deut 21:15
64%
15If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Jer 15:12
64%
12Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
Prov 30:18
64%
18There be 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, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Ps 37:16
64%
16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
Eccl 4:15
64%
15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
2 Cor 13:1
64%
1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Prov 21:22
64%
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Job 12:13
64%
13With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.