


Ecclesiastes 4:14
Bible Versions
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
True, he rose from prison to be king; yet, while ruling, he became poor.
For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.
For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
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Genesis 41:14
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. -
Psalms 113:7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; -
Psalms 113:8
That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people. -
Job 5:11
To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. -
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. -
2 Kings 25:7
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. -
Lamentations 4:20
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
Ecclesiastes 4:14 presents a stark observation on the transient nature of human power and the unpredictable shifts in fortune. It contrasts a humble, wise youth who rises to prominence with an old, foolish king who is deposed, or perhaps even the successor of the new king who eventually declines.
Context
This verse is part of a broader section in Ecclesiastes (chapters 3-5) where the Preacher, traditionally identified as King Solomon, explores the injustices, oppressions, and absurdities of life "under the sun." He observes various human conditions, including envy, toil, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of success. Verse 14 directly follows a discussion about the "poor and wise child" (verse 13), implying a succession or a change in leadership where the one who was overlooked rises. The overarching theme is the vanity and futility of earthly pursuits when viewed apart from God.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "out of prison he cometh to reign" uses the Hebrew word אסורים (asurim), meaning "those bound" or "prisoners." While it can be literal, it often signifies a state of lowliness, oppression, or obscurity, from which one unexpectedly rises. This contrasts with being "born in his kingdom," implying one who inherits privilege but fails to maintain it or experiences a reversal of fortune.
Practical Application
Ecclesiastes 4:14 offers several timeless lessons: