OET interlinear ECC 4:5

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-proverbs

הַ⁠כְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת יָדָ֔י⁠ו וְ⁠אֹכֵ֖ל אֶת בְּשָׂרֽ⁠וֹ

the,fool folds DOM hands_of,his and,[he_is]_eating DOM flesh_of,his_own

Solomon uses a proverb in order to illustrate the self-destructive nature of laziness. Translate this proverb in a way that will be recognized as a proverb and be meaningful in your language and culture. Alternate translation: [The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת יָדָ֔י⁠ו

folds DOM hands_of,his

Solomon is using is folding his hands as a common expression of the culture to mean “is being lazy” or “is refusing to work.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [is being lazy]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠אֹכֵ֖ל אֶת בְּשָׂרֽ⁠וֹ

and,[he_is]_eating DOM flesh_of,his_own

Solomon is speaking as if the fool’s laziness were causing him to consume his own flesh. He means that the fool’s idleness destroys himself. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and is destroying himself]