Ecclesiastes 4:2

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

Orthodox Jewish Bible

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 considered all the oppressions that are done under the shemesh, and, hinei, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no menachem (comforter); and on the side of their oppressors there was ko'ach (power); but they had no menachem (comforter).

3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the ma'aseh harah that is done under the shemesh.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Job 3:11Madua (why) were there birkayim to receive me? 1 Or why the shadayim that from them I should nurse? 1

Job 3:21Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, 1 when they can find the kever? 1

Ecclesiastes 2:17Therefore I hated HaChayyim (Life); because the ma'aseh that is wrought under the shemesh is grievous unto me; for all is hevel and chasing after ruach.

Ecclesiastes 9:4For to him that is joined to all the living there is bitachon; for a kelev chai (living dog) is better than an aryeh hamet (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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 4:2