Devine Scripture

Ecclesiastes 4:3

What does Ecclesiastes 4:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

yea, 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

yea, 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Yes, happier than the dead or the living seemed he who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil which is done under the sun.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And better than both of them <FI>is<Fi> he who hath not yet been, in that he hath not seen the evil work that hath been done under the sun.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and more fortunate than both is he who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Context

v.2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

v.3This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 3:22

    Who rejoice exceedingly, And are glad, when they can find the grave?

  • Jeremiah 20:17

    because he slew me not from the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great.

  • Psalms 55:6

    And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.

  • Matthew 24:19

    But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

  • Job 10:18

    Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me.

  • Job 3:10

    Because it shut not up the doors of mymother’swomb, Nor hid trouble from mine eyes.

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