KJV ORIGINAL
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
And if someone overpowers one person, two people can resist him; and a rope made of three strands is not easily broken.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that people are stronger and more resilient when they work together than when they stand alone.
📚 Historical Context
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as wisdom literature, reflecting on life's meaning and the human condition. In ancient times, people lived in close-knit communities where cooperation was essential for survival against threats like bandits, wild animals, or economic hardship. The image of a threefold cord would have been familiar to his audience, as braided ropes were commonly used for heavy work and construction.
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