Devine Scripture

Ecclesiastes 4:14

What does Ecclesiastes 4:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because out of a prison the young man comes to be king, though by birth he was only a poor man in the kingdom.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For from a house of prisoners he hath come out to reign, for even in his own kingdom he hath been poor.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For out of the prison-house he came forth to reign, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

Context

v.13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

v.14This passage

v.15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 41:33

    Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

  • Psalms 113:7

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;

  • 2 Kings 24:1

    In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

  • 2 Kings 25:7

    And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

  • 2 Kings 24:6

    So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers; and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 24:12

    and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ecclesiastes 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ecclesiastes 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ecclesiastes 4:14.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary