Is line 4 of Confinement in its correct place?

It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.

Hexagram 47, line 4

九四Line 4 of Confinement

Nine in the fourth place · 困 kùn

coming slowlythe bronze carriageregret with a good end

爻辭 The line text

來徐徐，困于金車，吝，有終。

The fourth line, undivided shows its subject proceeding very slowly (to help the subject of the first line), who is straitened by the carriage adorned with metal in front of him. There will be occasion for regret, but the end will be good.

Its symbolism

來徐徐，志在下也。雖不當位，有與也。

'He proceeds very slowly (to help the subject of the first line):'—his aim is directed to (help) that lower (line). Although he is not in his appropriate place, he and that other will (in the end) be together.

In plain words

Line four 'comes slowly, confined by a bronze carriage — regret, but there is an end' (來徐徐，困於金車，吝，有終). This is the strong line that should go down to rescue the first; it is held back by the bronze carriage, which the received reading identifies as line two, the other strong line, standing between them. Yang in a yin place, four is not correctly placed and is the first line of Dui, pleasure — slow to leave comfort. The small Image reads the slowness kindly: its will is set on the one below (志在下也), and though out of place it has a partner (有與也). The help arrives late, with regret about the delay, but it arrives.

If this line is changing

You mean to help someone and something substantial is in the way; keep coming, even slowly — the delay will be held against you a little, but finishing the journey is what counts.

Where the line stands

A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
It belongs to the upper trigram 兌 Dui (the Joyous) (lake).
It corresponds (應) with line 1: one yin and one yang, the two lines answer each other across the hexagram.

之卦 When this line moves

困 Confinement becomes ䷜ 29 坎 The Pit (Water)

Water upon water: repeated danger. With sincerity the heart gets through — flow like water, filling each hollow and moving on without losing your nature.

What it becomes29 · 坎 The Pit (Water)kǎn

The six lines of 困 Confinement

Read 困 Confinement for a question about

Love and relationships Work and career A yes-or-no decision

Questions about this line

What does Nine in the fourth place of hexagram 47, Confinement, mean?: Line four 'comes slowly, confined by a bronze carriage — regret, but there is an end' (來徐徐，困於金車，吝，有終). This is the strong line that should go down to rescue the first; it is held back by the bronze carriage, which the received reading identifies as line two, the other strong line, standing between them. Yang in a yin place, four is not correctly placed and is the first line of Dui, pleasure — slow to leave comfort. The small Image reads the slowness kindly: its will is set on the one below (志在下也), and though out of place it has a partner (有與也). The help arrives late, with regret about the delay, but it arrives.
What does hexagram 47 become when line 4 changes?: Confinement becomes hexagram 29, 坎 The Pit (Water): Water upon water: repeated danger. With sincerity the heart gets through — flow like water, filling each hollow and moving on without losing your nature.
Is line 4 of Confinement in its correct place?: It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.

Cast a reading Hexagram 47 in full Changing lines explained

Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).