Ecclesiastes 4:2

and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

Brenton Septuagint

In The King James Version

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

In Context

1So I returned, and saw all the oppressions that were done under the sun: and behold the tear of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of them that oppressed them was power; but they had no comforter:

3Better also than both these is he who has not yet been, who has not seen all the evil work that is done under the sun.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Job 3:11For why died I not in the belly? and why did I not come forth from the womb and die immediately?

Job 3:21who desire death, and obtain it not, digging for it as for treasures;

Ecclesiastes 2:17So I hated life; because the work that was wrought under the sun was evil before me: for all is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 9:4For who is he that has fellowship with all the living? there is hope of him: 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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Study Ecclesiastes 4:2