Ecclesiastes 4:2

Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;

JPS TaNaKH 1917

In The King James Version

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

In Context

1But 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.

3but better than they both is he 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 perish at birth?

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 to 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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