Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! New Living Translation This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. English Standard Version one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Berean Standard Bible There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task. King James Bible 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. New King James Version There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. New American Standard Bible There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, “And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task. NASB 1995 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity and it is a grievous task. NASB 1977 There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity and it is a grievous task. Legacy Standard Bible There was a certain man without a second man, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches—“And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of good?” This too is vanity, and it is a grievous endeavor. Amplified Bible There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task. Christian Standard Bible There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things? ” This too is futile and a miserable task. Holman Christian Standard Bible There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “So who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself from good?” This too is futile and a miserable task. American Standard Version There 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. Contemporary English Version For example, some people don't have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, "Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?" What a senseless and miserable life! English Revised Version There 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 labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. GOD'S WORD® Translation There are people who are all alone. They have no children or other family members. So there is no end to all the hard work they have to do. Their eyes are never satisfied with riches. But [they never ask themselves] why they are working so hard and depriving themselves of good things. Even this is pointless and a terrible tragedy. Good News Translation Here is someone who lives alone. He has no son, no brother, yet he is always working, never satisfied with the wealth he has. For whom is he working so hard and denying himself any pleasure? This is useless, too--and a miserable way to live. International Standard Version Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is never satisfied with wealth. "So for whom do I work," he asks, "and deprive myself of pleasure?" This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy. Majority Standard Bible There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: ?For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?? This too is futile?a miserable task. NET Bible A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task! New Heart English Bible There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business. Webster's Bible Translation There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a grievous labor. World English Bible There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThere is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he has not, and there is no end to all his labor! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and [he does not say], “For whom am I laboring and bereaving my soul of good?” This also is vanity, it is a sad travail. Young's Literal Translation There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and he saith not, 'For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail. Smith's Literal Translation There is one, and not a second; also a son and brother not to him: and no end to all his labor; also his eye shall not be satisfied with riches: and for whom do I labor and diminish my soul from good? Also this is vanity, and it is an evil labor. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation. Catholic Public Domain Version He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction. New American Bible those all alone with no companion, with neither child nor sibling—with no end to all their toil, and no satisfaction from riches. For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good things? This also is vanity and a bad business. New Revised Standard Version the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers; yet there is no end to all their toil, and their eyes are never satisfied with riches. “For whom am I toiling,” they ask, “and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen there is but one man, and not a second, and he has neither son nor brother, there is no end to all his labor. Neither are his eyes satisfied with riches; neither does he say, For whom am I laboring and denying myself good things? This is also vanity, and a grievous vexation. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated There is one and there are not two, and he has neither a son nor a brother, and there is no end to all his labor, and also wealth does not satisfy his eyes; and for whom do I labor and deprive my soul of good? And this also is futility and evil business OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There 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 labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business. Brenton Septuagint Translation There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Evil of Oppression…7Again, I saw futility under the sun. 8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile— a miserable task. 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.… Cross References Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. Luke 12:15-21 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ... 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. James 4:13-14 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. Mark 8:36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Psalm 49:10-12 For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. / Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. / But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Proverbs 28:22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. Treasury of Scripture There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail. one Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour… Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Isaiah 56:3-5 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree… he hath Genesis 15:2,3 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? … no Isaiah 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! is his Ecclesiastes 1:8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. for Psalm 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. Isaiah 44:19,20 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? … Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? it is Ecclesiastes 1:13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. Ecclesiastes 2:23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Jump to Previous Alone Bereave Business Child Deprive End Enjoyment Eye Eyes Good Labor Miserable Riches Satisfied Second Sore Soul Travail Vanity WealthJump to Next Alone Bereave Business Child Deprive End Enjoyment Eye Eyes Good Labor Miserable Riches Satisfied Second Sore Soul Travail Vanity WealthEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness There is a man all alone The Hebrew word for "alone" is "לְבַדּוֹ" (levaddo), which conveys a sense of isolation and solitude. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being alone was often seen as a state of vulnerability and lack of support. This phrase sets the stage for the existential reflection that follows, highlighting the futility of labor without companionship or relational fulfillment. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of community and relationships, as seen in Genesis 2:18, where God declares it is not good for man to be alone. without even a son or brother There is no end to his toil yet his eyes are never satisfied with riches For whom am I toiling, and why am I depriving myself of pleasure? This too is futile—a miserable task "Crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam, Majorumque fames." And Juvenal, 'Sat.,' 14:138 - "Interea pleno quum turget sacculus ore, Hebrew There isיֵ֣שׁ (yêš) Adverb Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is a אֶחָד֩ (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first man all alone, וְאֵ֨ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle without אֵֽין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle even גַּ֣ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and a son בֵּ֧ן (bên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son or brother. וָאָ֣ח (wā·’āḥ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) And though there is no וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle end קֵץ֙ (qêṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7093: An extremity, after to his labor, עֲמָל֔וֹ (‘ă·mā·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind his eyes עֵינ֖וֹ (‘ê·nōw) Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain are still גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no content תִשְׂבַּ֣ע (ṯiś·ba‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited with his wealth: עֹ֑שֶׁר (‘ō·šer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6239: Wealth “For whom וּלְמִ֣י ׀ (ū·lə·mî) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix do I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I toil עָמֵ֗ל (‘ā·mêl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6001: Toiling, a laborer, sorrowful and bereave וּמְחַסֵּ֤ר (ū·mə·ḥas·sêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2637: To lack, need, be lacking, decrease my soul נַפְשִׁי֙ (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion of enjoyment?” מִטּוֹבָ֔ה (miṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good This זֶ֥ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that too גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and is futile? הֶ֛בֶל (he·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory a miserable רָ֖ע (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil task. וְעִנְיַ֥ן (wə·‘in·yan) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6045: Ado, employment, an affair Links Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIVEcclesiastes 4:8 NLT Ecclesiastes 4:8 ESV Ecclesiastes 4:8 NASB Ecclesiastes 4:8 KJV Ecclesiastes 4:8 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 4:8 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 4:8 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 4:8 French Bible Ecclesiastes 4:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one who is alone (Ecclesiast. 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