King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 4:8 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 4:8 in the King James Version says “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 la... — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 · KJV


Context

6

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

8

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.

9

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10

For 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There is one alone, and there is not a second—isolation defined: echad (אֶחָד, one) with ein sheni (אֵין שֵׁנִי, no companion). Yea, he hath neither child nor brother—no family connections or heirs. Yet there is no end of all his labourein ketz le-khol amalo (אֵין קֵץ לְכָל־עֲמָלוֹ), endless toil accumulating wealth with no one to share or inherit it.

Neither is his eye satisfied with richesgam-eino lo-tisba osher (גַּם־עֵינוֹ לֹא־תִשְׂבַּע עֹשֶׁר), insatiable greed drives perpetual labor. The climactic question: For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This person never asks the obvious question until too late. Working endlessly, accumulating compulsively, denying present enjoyment, all for no one—This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail (hevel hu ve-inyan ra hu, הֶבֶל הוּא וְעִנְיָן רָע הוּא).

The passage diagnoses workaholism and compulsive accumulation's futility. Without relationships, even great wealth proves worthless. Jesus's parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) echoes this—the man who builds bigger barns dies that night, leaving everything to others. Paul warns against greed as idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern societies valued family continuity—sons inherited property, carried on the name, provided for parents in old age. Dying childless represented profound tragedy (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Yet some pursued wealth so obsessively that relationships withered. The isolated miser appeared in ancient literature as a cautionary figure—Egyptian instructions warned against hoarding at relationships' expense. Greco-Roman philosophy (Epicurus, Stoics) discussed the folly of accumulation without enjoyment. However, Ecclesiastes adds theological depth: humans are made for community (Genesis 2:18), and isolated accumulation violates created purpose. Monastic movements sometimes erred toward isolation, but Reformed theology emphasized vocation within community—work serves others and glorifies God.

Reflection Questions

  1. What pursuits are you engaging that might be 'bereaving your soul of good'—sacrificing present relationships and joy for future accumulation?
  2. If you asked yourself honestly, 'For whom do I labour?'—what answer would emerge, and does it align with eternal priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
יֵ֣שׁ1 of 31

There is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אֶחָד֩2 of 31

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְאֵ֨ין3 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

שֵׁנִ֜י4 of 31

alone and there is not a second

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

גַּ֣ם5 of 31
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בֵּ֧ן6 of 31

yea he hath neither child

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וָאָ֣ח7 of 31

nor brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֵֽין8 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ל֗וֹ9 of 31
H0
וְאֵ֥ין10 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

קֵץ֙11 of 31

yet is there no end

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

לְכָל12 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲמָל֔וֹ13 of 31

of all his labour

H5999

toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind

גַּם14 of 31
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עֵינ֖יוֹ15 of 31

neither is his eye

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לֹא16 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׂבַּ֣ע17 of 31

satisfied

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

עֹ֑שֶׁר18 of 31

with riches

H6239

wealth

וּלְמִ֣י׀19 of 31
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֲנִ֣י20 of 31
H589

i

עָמֵ֗ל21 of 31

neither saith he For whom do I labour

H6001

toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful

וּמְחַסֵּ֤ר22 of 31

and bereave

H2637

to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

אֶת23 of 31
H853

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

נַפְשִׁי֙24 of 31

my soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִטּוֹבָ֔ה25 of 31

of good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

גַּם26 of 31
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

זֶ֥ה27 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֶ֛בֶל28 of 31

This is also vanity

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

וְעִנְיַ֥ן29 of 31

travail

H6045

ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair

רָ֖ע30 of 31

yea it is a sore

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הֽוּא׃31 of 31
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 4:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 4:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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