Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageBetter is one open hand filled with quietness than two clenched fists full of toil and striving after wind.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GBetter one open palm of rest than two fistfuls of toil and herding of wind.
KJV
King James VersionBetter is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleBetter one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
Footnotes
Hebrew uses two distinct words: כַּף (kaph)—the open, flat palm—and חָפְנַיִם (chaphnayim)—two cupped, closed hands or fists (used for priestly double-handfuls of incense in Lev 16:12). The contrast is tactile and deliberate: an open, relaxed palm versus two hands gripping hard for more. Both versions attempt to preserve this physical distinction. נַחַת (nachat) denotes settled ease and contentment—not laziness but tranquil sufficiency—distinct from the frantic accumulation Qohelet critiques throughout.
