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, he brought also of the firstlings of his sheep and of the fat of them. And the LORD looked unto Abel and to his offering:

And these are the generations of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he kept sheep with his brethren, and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and of Zilpah his father's wives. And he brought unto their father an evil saying that was of them.

Then was Saul exceeding wroth and that saying displeased him, and he said, "They have ascribed unto David ten thousand, and to me but a thousand. And what more can he have, save the kingdom?"

Wrath is a cruel thing, and furiousness is a very tempest; yea, who is able to abide envy?

For he knew well, that for envy they had delivered him.

And the patriarchs, having indignation, sold Joseph into Egypt, and God was with him,

Either do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, "The spirit that dwelleth in you, lusteth even contrary to envy,"

and not be as Cain, which was of the devil and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? For his own deeds were evil, and his brother's righteous.

This is

As for the people that have been before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy the greater through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of mind. (v17) When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nigh, that thou mayest hear: that is better than the offerings of fools, for they know not what evil they do

Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass under the Sun, and lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind.

Forsomuch as a man should weary himself with wisdom, with understanding and opportunity, and yet be fain to leave his labours unto another, that never sweat for them. This is also a vain thing and a great misery.

The sight of the eyes is better, then that the soul should so depart away. Howbeit, this is also a vain thing and a disquietness of mind.

When his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him and could not speak one kind word unto him.

General references

All is but vanity - sayeth the Preacher - all is but plain vanity.

Many things there be that increase vanity, and what hath a man else?

All is but vanity - sayeth the preacher - all is but plain vanity.