Ecclesiastes 4:5

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

הכסיל הַכְּסִיל

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ה

Definition

the

Root

Demonstrative primitive

Exhaustive

definite article, the, used for all numbers and genders; originally a pronoun demonstrative, this. interrogative particle in direct and indirect questions; in disjunctive questions: whether--or.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

כסיל

kᵉçîyl

Definition

properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly

Root

from H3688 (כסל);

Exhaustive

from כסל; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly; fool(-ish).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3684

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

כְּסִיל

noun masculine • Root כסל • Strongs / High • Page 719

1. An obdurate person, a fool. Fatness and fleshiness symbolize obduracy, dulness, insensibility, and sinfulness. 2. Rich. 3. A firm one, a strong one, a hero, giant; hence the constellation Orion. 4. A proper name of a locality in the south of Judah.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

כְּסִיל

m. verbal • Root כסל • Page 323

1. a fool (Prov. 1:32; 10:1; 15:2). 2. a constellation in the heavens; according to ancient versions, Orion (Job 9:9; 38:31; Am. 5:8). Plur. כְּסִילִים Is. 13:10, meaning probably several constellations similar to Orion.

Particle definite article, Adjective adjective both singular absolute

LXX: ἀφρόνων ἄφρων ἄφρονοσ ἄφρονι ἀσεβεῖσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3684:

ἀφρόνων 16× (22.8%)

ἄφρων 16× (21.2%)

ἄφρονοσ 12× (16.9%)

ἄφρονι 7× (10.4%)

ἀσεβεῖσ 3× (3.8%)

ἄφρονα 2× (2.5%)

ἄφρονεσ 2× (2.3%)

חבק חֹבֵק

folding

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

חבק

châbaq

Definition

to clasp (the hands or in embrace)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to clasp (the hands or in embrace); embrace, fold.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H2263

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

חָבַק

verb • Root חבק • Strongs / High • Page 453

intr. to fold, to shut together, the hands; to embrace, a child, or otherwise from love.

חָבַק

verb • Root חבק • Strongs / High • Page 454

To clasp, to embrace (in Piel form); a second, unused meaning is to fold the hands through laziness.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

חָבַק

verb • Page 212

1. to embrace, twine round; construed with an accusative (Ecc. 3:5, 2K. 4:16, Gen. 29:13, 48:10). 2. to fold the hands, spoken of the idler (Ecc. 4:5).

Verb Qal participle active masculine singular absolute

LXX: περιλήμψεταί περιεβάλοντο περιέλαβεν περιλαβὼν

LXX Usage Statistics

H2263:

περιλήμψεταί 2× (16.9%)

περιεβάλοντο 2× (16.9%)

περιέλαβεν 2× (15.7%)

περιλαβὼν 2× (14.4%)

את אֶת־

את-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

את

ʼêth

Definition

a hoe or other digging implement

Root

of uncertain derivation;

Exhaustive

of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement; coulter, plowshare.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H855

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

H0855:

No stats available

ידיו יָדָיו

the hands of himself

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

יד

yâd

Definition

a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),

Root

a primitive word; in distinction from H3709 (כף), the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows)

Exhaustive

a primitive word; in distinction from כף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3027

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יָד

noun / feminine • Root ידה • Strongs / High • Page 577

The hand, as that which lays hold of or seizes. Can also refer to the arm. It is used in a wide variety of metaphorical and technical senses, including assistance, power, custody, and human cooperation. Dual form: יָדַיִם, plural form: יָדוֹת.

יָד

noun / feminine • Root יד • Strongs / High • Page 578

The hand. It is used in a wide variety of literal and figurative senses, including: force, violence; divine power, punishment, or inspiration (the 'hand of God'); a sign of assurance or a pledge ('giving the hand'); a medium of action or agency; guidance and oversight; possession; power and might; mediation ('by the hand of').

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יָד

com. gen. • Page 270

1. The hand. Phrases include: assisting someone (1 Sam. 22:17), divine destruction (Ex. 9:3), divine inspiration or prophecy (Ezek. 1:3, Jer. 15:17), promising or striking hands (Ezra 10:19), and submission (2 Chr. 30:8, Ezek. 17:18). 2. Metaphorical uses: without human aid (Dan. 8:25), from generation to generation (Prov. 11:21). 3. Prepositional combinations: 'in the hand of' or 'by' (1 Sam. 14:34), 'through' (Num. 15:23), 'into the power or charge of' (Gen. 9:2, Ps. 95:7), 'before' (1 Sam. 21:14), and 'because of' (Job 8:4, Is. 64:6).

יָד

noun • Page 271

Definitions continued from previous page: 1. into the hand or hands of any one; through (Jer. 18:21). Plur. יָדוֹת: artificial hands, tenons, axle-trees. 2. the arm. 3. metaphorically, might, power, aid (Ex. 14:30, Deut. 32:36). 4. manner (1 K. 10:13, Ezra 3:10). 5. side, near (1 Sam. 19:3). Dual יָדַיִם: sides. Plur. יָדוֹת: ledges, side railings. 6. place (Deut. 23:13). 7. part (Dan. 12:7). 8. a monument, trophy (1 Sam. 15:12).

יָד

noun • Root יד • Page 271

Chaldee; equivalent to Hebrew יָד, hand. Emphatic state: יְדָא.

יָד

noun • Page 282

Mentioned in 1 Sam. 4:13 Kethib as an evident corruption for יַד (on the side), which stands in the Keri.

Noun common both dual construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX: χεῖρασ χειρὶ χειρὸσ χεῖρα χειρῶν

LXX Usage Statistics

H3027:

χεῖρασ 218× (12.8%)

χειρὶ 215× (12.3%)

χειρὸσ 169× (10.0%)

χεῖρα 139× (8.4%)

χειρῶν 100× (6.0%)

χεῖρά 87× (5.3%)

χεὶρ 75× (4.7%)

χερσὶν 61× (3.3%)

χειρί 55× (2.8%)

χειρόσ 50× (2.9%)

ואכל וְאֹכֵל

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

אכל

ʼâkal

Definition

to eat (literally or figuratively)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H398

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אָכַל

verb • Strongs_Numbers • Page 123

prop. to annihilate, to rub away, hence 1. to eat, applied to men. 2. to animals, figuratively, to devour somewhat.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אָכַל

verb • Page 48

1. To eat; applied to men and animals. Figuratively applied to the sword, fire, hunger, and pestilence. 2. To consume, destroy (Deut. 7:16; Jer. 10:25). 3. To enjoy (Prov. 30:20). Includes various forms: Niph. (to be eaten), Pu. (to be consumed), Hiph. (to feed/cause to eat), Hoph. (to be made shorter).

Conjunction, Verb Qal participle active masculine singular absolute

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0398:

No stats available

את אֶת־

את-self eternal

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

את

ʼêth

Definition

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Root

apparent contracted from H226 (אות) in the demonstrative sense of entity;

Exhaustive

apparent contracted from אות in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H853

את

ʼêth

Definition

a hoe or other digging implement

Root

of uncertain derivation;

Exhaustive

of uncertain derivation; a hoe or other digging implement; coulter, plowshare.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H855

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵת

particle • Strongs_Numbers • Page 87

Particle used as a sign of the accusative, indicating the definite object of a verb; also used reflexively, or in designations of time and place. Occasionally interchangeable with other prepositions.

אֵת

substantive • Root אות • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

I. Proper substance, being, essence, body, self, essential. It is used as the sign of an accusative, or to give prominence to a noun as subject.

אֵת

preposition • Root אנה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 208

II. With; expressing fellowship or accompaniment. Properly side, support, lean upon.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Mattock, coulter of a plough, hoe, prop. anything cutting into.

אֵת

noun masculine • Root אתה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 209

Equivalent to אֵת III., of which it is merely a collateral form.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אוֹת or אֶת

sign of accusative case • Page 35

A sign of the accusative case.

אֶת

com. gen. chald. • Page 81

Equivalent to the Hebrew אוֹת (sign, miracle). Synonymous with תְּמַהּ. References: Dan. 3: 32, 33; 6: 28.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (masc.). Equivalent to אַתָּה. Note: Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2.

אַתְּ

pronoun • Page 81

Thou (fem.). In pause אָתְּ. Found in Judg. 17: 2; 1 K. 14: 2. Also sometimes appears as a masculine form (Num. 11: 15; Ezek. 28: 14).

אֵת

ii. particle • Page 81

A primitive particle and sign of the accusative case (with Makk. -אֶת; with suffixes אֹתִי, אֹתָנוּ, etc.). Often denotes the definite direct object but can appear in circumstances where other languages employ the nominative (with passive verbs, neuter verbs, or before a nominative subject). References: Gen. 17: 5; Ex. 10: 8; 1 Sam. 17: 34.

אֵת

preposition • Page 82

1. with, together with (Gen. 4:1); 2. with, near by (Gen. 39:6); 3. in or on a place (1 Sam. 7:16); 4. besides (1 K. 11:25); 5. towards, erga (Ruth 2:20, 2 Sam. 16:17).

Direct object eternal self

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0853:

No stats available

H0855:

No stats available

בשרו בְּשָׂרוֹ׃

in the hand

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

בשר

bâsâr

Definition

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman

Root

from H1319 (בשר);

Exhaustive

from בשר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1320

הו

Definition

his, personal posessive - noun suffix: 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal posessive pronoun - suffix for nouns, adjectives and passive participles: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9023

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

בְּשַׂר

noun masculine • Consonantal / Medium • Page 286

Aramaic masculine noun meaning flesh; the same as Hebrew בָּשָׂר.

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

I. (Kal unused) to utter sounds, words; to show, to make manifest; to announce (tidings, intelligence), good or bad

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

II. (not used) belonging to the proper name בְּשׂוֹר; to be cool, fresh

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשַׂר

verb • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

III. (not used) intr. to swell up, to be full, spoken of the body being full of flesh

Matched via consonantal key only

בָּשָׂר

noun masculine • Root בשר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

1. flesh, of the body of beasts or men; meat. 2. Metaphor. body (opposed to heart or spirit). 3. In a collective sense: living beings, the human race (flesh and blood).

Matched via consonantal key only

בִּשֵּׂר

verb • Root בשר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 285

(Piel) to announce, to relate, to tell of; to announce good, glad tidings; in participle: a messenger of good things, a bringer of good news

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בְּשַׂר

m. chald. • Page 119

flesh, as in Heb. (Dan. 2:11, 4:9 [12]).

בָּשָׂר

m. dec. iv. a. • Page 119

1. flesh (Ps. 102:6). 2. body (Num. 8:7, Prov. 14:30). 3. all flesh, for all living creatures (Gen. 6:13). Often denotes what is human, frail, mortal, in opposition to God (Gen. 6:3, Ps. 56:5). 4. my bone and my flesh, i. e. my relative (Gen. 29:14). 5. by a euphemism, pudenda viri (Lev. 15:2, Ezek. 16:26).

Noun common both singular construct, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX: κρέα σάρκασ σὰρξ σάρκα κρεῶν

LXX Usage Statistics

H1320:

κρέα 50× (17.6%)

σάρκασ 24× (7.9%)

σὰρξ 23× (8.8%)

σάρκα 19× (6.9%)

κρεῶν 16× (5.1%)

σῶμα 15× (4.9%)

σαρκὸσ 14× (5.0%)

σάρκεσ 12× (4.0%)

κρέασ 11× (4.2%)

σαρκόσ 10× (3.6%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
The foolish one folded his hands together, and ate his flesh.

LITV Translation:
The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
The fool folds his hands together, And eats his own flesh.