As noted earlier this is the first of the arguments supporting verse 9.

If they fall presents a hypothetical possibility for us to consider. They must refer to the two persons mentioned in the previous verse. This may need to be stated, so “the two of them” or “both” are possible renderings. However, there is another possible way of understanding the verb fall and its third plural masculine suffix. It is conceivable that we are dealing with a so-called “partitive” sense of the verb, which means that they really means “either of them,” either of the two persons mentioned. Thus we can translate: “If one of them falls.”

The verb fall refers to a physical reality, but it can also be taken as a figure of speech. In many languages “fall” will be ambiguous. It can refer both to a real action and a metaphorical one (being in difficulty or trouble). It is probably best to retain the literal meaning, but if the translator chooses, the verse can also be expressed in a nonfigurative way, “If one of them gets into difficulty….”

One will lift up his fellow expresses the practical help one person gives the other in a crisis. If both fell then probably neither one could help the other up, since both are in serious difficulties. The meaning then is that, if either one falls down, the other can help his friend up. We can use a more general form and say “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” If the more figurative use of “fall” is being highlighted, a nonfigurative translation may say “If one gets into difficulty, the other is there to help him.”

But woe to him who is alone when he falls presents the other side of the previous situation. Woe is not used here in the same way the prophets use the term, that is, to pronounce doom and judgment (see Isa 5.8, 11). Qoheleth is describing the unfortunate circumstance of the person who falls down when alone. The example assumes that when people fall, they are so badly injured that they cannot get up themselves: “How unfortunate…” or “How pitiful is the person who is alone.” In colloquial English we may say “Pity the poor person who falls down and is all alone!” Good News Translation “it’s just too bad” does not exactly convey the mood here.

And has not another to lift him up completes the picture. Not only is he alone when he falls, but, being alone, there is no one else available to give assistance.

The “woe to” phrase uses the numerals “one” and “two” as did the “better” saying. The Hebrew text says literally “… the one who falls, there is no second one to pick him up.” Revised Standard Version renders those numerals as “one” and “the other.” It is preferable to preserve the numerals “one” and “two” in the translation, if possible. This allows our readers to see the literary links in this section.

The “woe to” phrase occurs at the beginning of the sentence in the Hebrew and is thus emphasized. However, in some languages it may be necessary to change the sentence order: “When someone is alone and falls down, there is no second person to pick him up.”

Two models for translation are:

• How sad [or, difficult] it is for one person who falls down if there is not a second person present to give help.

• How unfortunate for the person who is alone and falls down! There is no one with him to help him up.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .