OET interlinear ECC 4:6

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

מְלֹ֥א כַ֖ף

full_of hand_of

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of fullness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [is what a palm holds]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

נָ֑חַת

rest

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of quiet, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [when you are calm]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עָמָ֖ל

toil

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of toil, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [with working hard]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠רְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ

and,striving_of wind

Solomon is speaking as if futile labor were a pursuit of wind. He means that such effort is pointless and unattainable. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and futile effort]

Note 5 topic: writing-proverbs

ט֕וֹב מְלֹ֥א כַ֖ף נָ֑חַת מִ⁠מְּלֹ֥א חָפְנַ֛יִם עָמָ֖ל וּ⁠רְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ

good full_of hand_of rest more,than_[the]_fullness_of fists toil and,striving_of wind

Solomon uses a proverb in order to teach that contentment with little is better than striving for much. Translate this proverb in a way that will be recognized as a proverb and be meaningful in your language and culture. Alternate translation: [One handful with peace is better than two handfuls with toil and chasing after wind]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

מִ⁠מְּלֹ֥א חָפְנַ֛יִם

more,than_[the]_fullness_of fists

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of fullness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [than two handfuls]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מְלֹ֥א כַ֖ף נָ֑חַת

full_of hand_of rest

Solomon is speaking as if having a small amount with peace were having a fullness of a palm with quiet. He means that a little with contentment is valuable. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a small amount with peace]