Ecclesiastes 4:1
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׁ֣בְתִּֽי
So I returned
H7725
וְשַׁ֣בְתִּֽי
So I returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וָאֶרְאֶה֙
and considered
H7200
וָאֶרְאֶה֙
and considered
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים
all the oppressions
H6217
הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים
all the oppressions
Strong's:
H6217
Word #:
6 of 22
used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נַעֲשִׂ֖ים
that are done
H6213
נַעֲשִׂ֖ים
that are done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
9 of 22
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ
under the sun
H8121
הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ
under the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
10 of 22
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים
all the oppressions
H6217
הָעֲשֻׁקִ֗ים
all the oppressions
Strong's:
H6217
Word #:
13 of 22
used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny
וְאֵ֤ין
H369
מְנַחֵֽם׃
and they had no comforter
H5162
מְנַחֵֽם׃
and they had no comforter
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
וּמִיַּ֤ד
and on the side
H3027
וּמִיַּ֤ד
and on the side
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עֹֽשְׁקֵיהֶם֙
of such as were oppressed
H6231
עֹֽשְׁקֵיהֶם֙
of such as were oppressed
Strong's:
H6231
Word #:
18 of 22
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
כֹּ֔חַ
there was power
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
there was power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
19 of 22
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:16And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.Ecclesiastes 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.Isaiah 5:7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.Isaiah 51:23But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.Isaiah 59:7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.Psalms 12:5For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.Psalms 42:3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?Psalms 42:9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?Job 35:9By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.Matthew 26:56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern societies operated on power hierarchies—kings, nobles, landowners exploited peasants, slaves, widows, orphans with minimal legal protection. Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Canaanite systems institutionalized oppression. Israel's covenant law uniquely protected vulnerable populations (Exodus 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 24:17-22), but enforcement failed repeatedly. Prophets condemned Israel's oppression: 'They sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes' (Amos 2:6). The exile itself resulted partly from covenant violation through oppression (Ezekiel 22:29). First-century Palestine under Roman occupation embodied this verse—heavy taxation, arbitrary violence, systemic exploitation with no earthly comforter.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you witness oppression in contemporary society, and what responsibility do you bear as one who knows the divine Comforter?
- How does Jesus's identification with the oppressed (Matthew 25:31-46) shape your response to systemic injustice?
Analysis & Commentary
I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun—the Preacher turns from judicial corruption (3:16) to systematic oppression. The Hebrew ashukkim (עֲשׁוּקִים, oppressions) describes exploitation, extortion, violent injustice perpetrated by the powerful. Behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter—the repetition of menahem (מְנַחֵם, comforter) emphasizes utter abandonment. Victims weep with no one to console or deliver them.
On the side of their oppressors there was power—koach (כֹּחַ, power/strength) concentrated in oppressors' hands creates hopeless asymmetry. The weak have no recourse, no advocate, no deliverer 'under the sun.' This bleak assessment drives readers toward God as ultimate Comforter and Deliverer. Jesus quoted Isaiah's 'comfort ye my people' (40:1) as his messianic mission (Luke 4:18)—the Messiah comes to liberate captives and comfort mourners when human systems provide no relief.