Ecclesiastes 4:2

Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

American Standard Version

In The King James Version

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

In Context

1Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

3yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Job 3:11Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bare me?

Job 3:21Who long for death, but it cometh not, And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Ecclesiastes 2:17So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 9:4For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:2-4

The Prevalence of Oppression. 1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Solomon had a large soul ( 1 Kings… Read the whole commentary →

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