Ecclesiastes 4:2

So, I, pronounced happy the dead, who were, already, dead,—more than the living, who were living, still;

The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham

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 again, I, considered all the oppressive deeds which were done under the sun,—and lo! the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter, and, on the side of their oppressing, is power, and they have no comforter.

3and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being,—who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Job 3:11Wherefore, in the womb, did I not die? From the womb, come forth and cease to breathe?

Job 3:21Who long for death, and it is not, And have digged for it, beyond hid treasures:

Ecclesiastes 2:17Therefore I hated life, for, a vexation unto me, was the work which was done under the sun,—for, all, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.

Ecclesiastes 9:4For, whosoever was united to all the living, for him, there was hope,—inasmuch as, a living dog, fared 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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