### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **môwthâr**, represented by `{{H4195}}`, conveys a sense of gain, superiority, and abundance. Its base definition includes profit, preeminence, and plenteousness. It appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, but its usage highlights a significant tension between practical wisdom and philosophical reflection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical text, `{{H4195}}` is used in two distinct contexts. In the book of Proverbs, it refers to material gain as a direct result of wise action. It is stated that in all labor there is **profit** [[Proverbs 14:23]], and the thoughts of the diligent lead to **plenteousness** [[Proverbs 21:5]]. In both instances, it is contrasted with poverty that comes from idle talk or haste. In Ecclesiastes, the word takes on a more philosophical meaning, questioning humanity's ultimate advantage. The author concludes that a man has no **preeminence** above a beast, as both share the same breath and the same fate of death, rendering all as vanity [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the meaning of `{{H4195}}`:
* `{{H4270}}` **machçôwr** (penury, want): This word appears as a direct contrast to **môwthâr** in Proverbs, representing the deficiency, impoverishment, and poverty that results from a lack of diligence ([[Proverbs 14:23]], [[Proverbs 21:5]]).
* `{{H2742}}` **chărûwts** (diligent): This term describes the determined and eager character whose thoughts lead to **plenteousness** `{{H4195}}`. It is presented as the source of profit and a key virtue in wisdom literature [[Proverbs 21:5]].
* `{{H1892}}` **hebel** (vanity): Defined as emptiness or something transitory and unsatisfactory, this word provides the ultimate context for why man has no **preeminence** `{{H4195}}` over beasts. It underscores the fleeting nature of earthly advantages [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]].
* `{{H929}}` **bᵉhêmâh** (beast, cattle): This term for an animal is used in direct comparison with man to underscore a shared mortality, leveling any claim to ultimate superiority or **preeminence** `{{H4195}}` in the face of death [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4195}}` lies in the contrast it presents between two perspectives on life.
* **The Wisdom of Diligence:** In Proverbs, the word reinforces the theological principle that diligent labor and thoughtful planning are divinely ordered means to achieve **profit** and **plenteousness**. It is a reward for righteous living and is set against the want that comes from haste and empty words ([[Proverbs 14:23]], [[Proverbs 21:5]]).
* **The Humility of Mortality:** In Ecclesiastes, the word serves as a powerful theological corrective to human pride. By stating that man has no **preeminence** `{{H4195}}` over the beast, it forces a reflection on the limits of human existence. Both man and beast share one breath and face death, placing them on equal footing in the grand scheme where all is **vanity** `{{H1892}}` [[Ecclesiastes 3:19]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4195}}` is a multifaceted term that encapsulates both a practical principle and a profound philosophical truth. In one sense, it is the tangible **profit** and **plenteousness** that comes from hard work and diligence. In another, it is the very concept of **preeminence** that is questioned and ultimately denied in the face of our shared mortality. The word thus illustrates the biblical tension between the value of wise living in this world and the sober recognition of humanity's limitations.
TRV