In Ecclesiastes 4 of Ecclesiastes .
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
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וְאִֽם ־ veim and oh that וְאִֽם veim and oh that אִם conjunction, conjunction — “and oh that” H518 used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), t… יִתְקְפוֹ֙ yitqefvo prevail יִתְקְפוֹ֙ yitqefvo prevail תָּקַף verb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular, suffix, pronominal, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “prevail”, an unfinished action H8630 to overpower prevail (against). הָאֶחָ֔ד haechad the first הָאֶחָ֔ד haechad the first אֶחָד definite article, adjective, cardinal, masculine, singular, absolute — “the first”, the ordinary form H259 properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם hashnayim the two הַשְּׁנַ֖יִם hashnayim the two שְׁנַיִם definite article, adjective, cardinal, masculine, dual, absolute — “the two”, the ordinary form H8147 two; also (as ordinal) twofold both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. יַעַמְד֣וּ yaamdv stand יַעַמְד֣וּ yaamdv stand עָמַד verb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, plural — “stand”, an unfinished action H5975 to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, m… נֶגְדּ֑וֹ negdvo against נֶגְדּ֑וֹ negdvo against נֶגֶד preposition, suffix, pronominal, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “against” H5048 a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. וְהַחוּט֙ vehachut and the cord וְהַחוּט֙ vehachut and the cord חוּט conjunction, definite article, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “and the cord”, the ordinary form H2339 a string; by implication, a measuring tape cord, fillet, line, thread. הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ hamshulash the three הַֽמְשֻׁלָּ֔שׁ hamshulash the three שָׁלַשׁ definite article, verb, pual, passive participle, absolute — “the three”, a verb used as a describing word H8027 to be (causatively, make) triplicate (by restoration, in portions, strands, days or years) do the third time, (divide into, stay) three (days, -fold, parts, years old). לֹ֥א lo no , -r, לֹ֥א lo no , -r, לֹא particle, negative — “no , -r,” H3808 not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as trul… בִמְהֵרָ֖ה vimherah in hastily בִמְהֵרָ֖ה vimherah in hastily מְהֵרָה preposition, noun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “in hastily”, the ordinary form H4120 properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly hastily, quickly, shortly, soon, make (with) speed(-ily), swiftly. יִנָּתֵֽק ׃ yinateq break יִנָּתֵֽק yinateq break נָתַק verb, niphal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “break”, an unfinished action H5423 to tear off break (off), burst, draw (away), lift up, pluck (away, off), pull (out), root out. Jewish translation (JPS 1917)
And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Compare Public-Domain Translations The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.
American Standard Version (1901) And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Young’s Literal Translation And if the one strengthen himself, the two stand against him; and the threefold cord is not hastily broken.
World English Bible If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Darby Translation And if a [man] overpower the one, the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Douay-Rheims And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
Jewish Publication Society (1917) And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English And if one should prevail against him , the two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord shall not be quickly broken.
Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851) Καὶ ἐὰν ἐπικραταιωθῇ ὁ εἷς, οἱ δύο στήσονται κατέναντι αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ σπαρτίον τὸ ἔντριτον οὐ ταχέως ἀποῤῥαγήσεται.
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Jewish texts of this verse
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