Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. New Living Translation And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” English Standard Version Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Berean Standard Bible Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. King James Bible Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. New King James Version Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. New American Standard Bible One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. NASB 1995 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. NASB 1977 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. Legacy Standard Bible One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. Amplified Bible One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind. Christian Standard Bible Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. Holman Christian Standard Bible Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. American Standard Version Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind. Contemporary English Version Yet a very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind. English Revised Version Better is an handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and striving after wind. GOD'S WORD® Translation One handful of peace and quiet is better than two handfuls of hard work and of trying to catch the wind. Good News Translation Maybe so, but it is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind. International Standard Version It's better to have one handful of tranquility than to have two handfuls of trouble and to chase after the wind. Majority Standard Bible Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. NET Bible Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind. New Heart English Bible Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. Webster's Bible Translation Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with toil and vexation of spirit. World English Bible Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than two handfuls [with] labor and distress of spirit.” Young's Literal Translation Better is a handful with quietness, than two handfuls with labour and vexation of spirit.' Smith's Literal Translation Good a hand filled with rest, above two hands full of labor and striving of spirit. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBetter is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind. Catholic Public Domain Version “A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.” New American Bible Better is one handful with tranquility than two with toil and a chase after wind! New Revised Standard Version Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBetter is a handful with quietness than both hands full with toil and vexation of spirit. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Better a handful in quiet than handfuls with toil and agitation of spirit OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Better is a handful of quietness, Than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind. Brenton Septuagint Translation Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of trouble and waywardness of spirit. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Evil of Oppression…5The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. 7Again, I saw futility under the sun.… Cross References Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 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. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. Luke 12:15 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.” Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. / Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Treasury of Scripture Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Psalm 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Proverbs 15:16,17 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith… Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Jump to Previous Better Chasing Desire Fists Full Hand Handful Handfuls Hands Labor Pursuit Quietness Rest Spirit Striving Toil Travail Trouble Vexation WindJump to Next Better Chasing Desire Fists Full Hand Handful Handfuls Hands Labor Pursuit Quietness Rest Spirit Striving Toil Travail Trouble Vexation WindEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness Better one handful with tranquility This phrase emphasizes the value of contentment and peace over the relentless pursuit of material wealth. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, reflects on the futility of human endeavors without divine purpose. The "one handful" symbolizes a modest, sufficient amount, suggesting that a life of simplicity and satisfaction is preferable. This echoes the wisdom found in Proverbs 15:16, "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil." The biblical principle here is that true peace and contentment come from a life aligned with God's will, rather than from the accumulation of possessions. than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is often attributed to him as a reflection on the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment. 2. Israel The nation of Israel serves as the backdrop for Solomon's writings. During Solomon's reign, Israel experienced a time of peace and prosperity, which provides context for his reflections on wealth and contentment. 3. The Preacher (Qoheleth) The term "Qoheleth" is often translated as "The Preacher" or "The Teacher" and is used to describe the author of Ecclesiastes. This figure is portrayed as a wise sage sharing insights on life. Teaching Points The Value of ContentmentEcclesiastes 4:6 states, "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind." This highlights the importance of contentment and peace over the relentless pursuit of more. In a world driven by consumerism, this verse calls believers to find satisfaction in what they have and to prioritize peace over possessions. The Futility of Endless Toil The phrase "pursuit of the wind" suggests the futility of endless striving. The original Hebrew word for "wind" (ruach) can also mean "spirit" or "breath," indicating something elusive and intangible. This teaches us that chasing after material gain without spiritual fulfillment is ultimately empty. Balancing Work and Rest This verse encourages a balance between work and rest. While diligence is important, it should not come at the cost of our peace and well-being. Christians are called to work diligently but also to rest in God's provision and trust in His timing. Trusting in God's Provision The verse reminds believers to trust in God's provision rather than relying solely on their efforts. It encourages a reliance on God's wisdom and timing, knowing that He provides what is truly needed for a fulfilling life.Verse 6. - Better is a handful with quietness; literally, better a hand full of rest. Than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit; literally, than two hands full of travail, etc. This verse, which has been variously interpreted, is most simply regarded as the fool's defense of his indolence, either expressed in his own words or fortified by a proverbial saying. One open hand full of quietness and rest is preferable to two closed hands full of toil and vain effort. The verse must not be taken as the writer's warning against sloth, which would be out of place here, but as enunciating a maxim against discontent and that restless activity which is never satisfied with moderate returns. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Betterט֕וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good one handful מְלֹ֥א (mə·lō) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4393: Fullness, that which fills with tranquility נָ֑חַת (nā·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5183: A descent, imposition, unfavorable, favorable, restfulness than two handfuls מִמְּלֹ֥א (mim·mə·lō) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4393: Fullness, that which fills with toil עָמָ֖ל (‘ā·māl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind and pursuit וּרְע֥וּת (ū·rə·‘ūṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7469: A feeding upon, grasping after of the wind. רֽוּחַ׃ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit Links Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIVEcclesiastes 4:6 NLT Ecclesiastes 4:6 ESV Ecclesiastes 4:6 NASB Ecclesiastes 4:6 KJV Ecclesiastes 4:6 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 4:6 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 4:6 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 4:6 French Bible Ecclesiastes 4:6 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is a handful with quietness than (Ecclesiast. 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