Ecclesiastes 4:16

The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

In Context

15I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.

17Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

2 Samuel 15:12Absalom also sent for Achitophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city Gilo. And while he was offering sacrifices, there was a strong conspiracy, and the people running together increased with Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:9And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel, saying: The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines: and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

1 Kings 1:40And all the multitude went up after him, and the people played with pipes, and rejoiced with a great joy, and the earth rang with the noise of their cry.

Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2:17And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:14-16

The Advantages of Society. 13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 4:16