Ecclesiastes 4:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

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

and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,

These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"

Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

"And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him

Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

This is

There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

General references

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.