Tag Archives: Ecclesiastes 4:4

וְרָאִ֨יתִֽי אֲנִ֜י אֶת־כָּל־עָמָ֗ל וְאֵת֙ כָּל־כִּשְׁרֹ֣ון הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה כִּ֛י הִ֥יא קִנְאַת־אִ֖ישׁ מֵרֵעֵ֑הוּ גַּם־זֶ֥ה הֶ֖בֶל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃ Contextual Introduction Ecclesiastes 4:4 is a striking commentary on human labor and motivation. In typical Qohelet fashion, the verse exposes the futility not only of toil but of excellence itself, when driven by rivalry and envy. The syntax combines observational first-person narrative with existential reflection. Grammatically, the verse features coordinated objects, causal clauses, and a verbless nominal clause that delivers a devastating evaluation of social ambition. Grammatical Focus: Coordinated Object Constructions, Causal כִּי-Clause, and Verbless Evaluation 1.… Learn Hebrew