American Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 4:2
2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;
Ecclesiastes 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
- New International Version (NIV)And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.
Context of Ecclesiastes 4:2
1Then I returned and saw 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. Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; 3yea, better than them both did I esteem him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 4Ecclesiastes 4:2 word by word
וְשַׁבֵּ֧חַ אֲנִ֛י אֶת־הַמֵּתִ֖ים שֶׁכְּבָ֣ר מֵ֑תוּ מִן־הַ֣חַיִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר הֵ֥מָּה חַיִּ֖ים עֲדֶֽנָה׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 4:2
- 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 with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
- Job 3:17There the wicked cease from troubling; And there the weary are at rest.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Wherefore I praised the dead - I considered those happy who had escaped from the pilgrimage of life to the place where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2In places with oppression, the dead are better off than the living. The dead no longer suffer mistreatment.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. A profane sentiment if severed from its connection; but just in its bearing on Solomon's scope. If religion were not taken into account (Ec 3:17, 19), to die as soon as possible would be desirable, so as not to suffer or witness "oppressions"; and still more so, not to be born at all (Ec 7:1). Job (Job 3:12; 21:7), David (Psa 73:3, &c.), Jeremiah (Jr 12:1), Habakkuk (Ha 1:13), all passed through the same perplexity, until they went into the sanctuary…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 4:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries