Ecclesiastes 4:2

So I considered those who are already dead 2 more fortunate than the living, who are still alive. 1

Unlocked Literal 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

1Once again I thought about all the oppression that is done under the sun. 1 And behold, the tears of oppressed people, 2 and they had no one to comfort them! 1 Power was in the hand of their oppressors, 2 and there was no one to comfort them! 1

3However, more fortunate than both of them is the one who has not yet lived, 2 the one who has not seen any of the evil acts that are done under the sun.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Job 3:11Why did I not die when I came out from the womb? 1 Why did I not give up my spirit when my mother bore me? 1

Job 3:21to one who longs for death without it coming; 1 to one who digs for death more than for hidden treasure? 1

Ecclesiastes 2:17So I detested life because all the work done under the sun was evil to me. This was because everything is vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.

Ecclesiastes 9:4For anyone who is united to all the living, there is hope, just as a living dog is better than a dead lion. + 9:4 Some modern versions have For what is preferable? For all the living, this is sure: A living dog is better than a dead lion . 1

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