Ecclesiastes 4:4

AMP

Ecclesiastes 4:4

I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil.

Genesis 4:4-8

But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering;

These are the generations of Jacob.

Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers [Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher]; the boy was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s [secondary] wives; and Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father.

1 Samuel 18:8-9

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed [only] thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

1 Samuel 18:14-16

David acted wisely and prospered in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.

1 Samuel 18:29-30

Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s constant enemy.

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood,
But who is able to endure and stand before [the sin of] jealousy?

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16

There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

What the eyes see [enjoying what is available] is better than [craving] what the soul desires. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:11

For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?

Matthew 27:18

For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

Acts 7:9

“The [ten elder] patriarchs, overwhelmed with jealousy, sold [their younger brother] Joseph into [slavery in] Egypt; but God was with him,

James 4:5

Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?

1 John 3:12

and not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother [Abel]. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Every, etc

This is

Genesis 37:4

General references

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Ecclesiastes 6:11

Ecclesiastes 12:8

Bible References

Every, etc

But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering;

Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood,
But who is able to endure and stand before [the sin of] jealousy?

For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

“The [ten elder] patriarchs, overwhelmed with jealousy, sold [their younger brother] Joseph into [slavery in] Egypt; but God was with him,

Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?

and not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother [Abel]. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

This is

There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.

For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil.

What the eyes see [enjoying what is available] is better than [craving] what the soul desires. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.

His brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than all of his brothers; so they hated him and could not [find it within themselves to] speak to him on friendly terms.

General references

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”

For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”