Ecclesiastes 4:2

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 2:17 : 17 So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile– like chasing the wind.
  • Eccl 9:4-6 : 4 Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward– and even the memory of them disappears. 6 What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.
  • Job 3:11-26 : 11 Job Wishes He Had Died at Birth“Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb? 12 Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them? 13 For now I would be lying down and would be quiet, I would be asleep and then at peace 14 with kings and counselors of the earth who built for themselves places now desolate, 15 or with princes who possessed gold, who filled their palaces with silver. 16 Or why was I not buried like a stillborn infant, like infants who have never seen the light? 17 There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. 18 There the prisoners relax together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor. 19 Small and great are there, and the slave is free from his master. 20 Longing for Death“Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter, 21 to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures, 22 who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes in place of my food, and my groanings flow forth like water. 25 For the very thing I dreaded has happened to me, and what I feared has come upon me. 26 I have no ease, I have no quietness; I cannot rest; turmoil has come upon me.”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 4:3-4
    2 verses
    83%

    3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

    4Labor Motivated by Envy Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless– like chasing the wind.

  • Eccl 9:3-6
    4 verses
    77%

    3This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives– then they die.

    4Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.

    5For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward– and even the memory of them disappears.

    6What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.

  • Eccl 4:15-16
    2 verses
    75%

    15I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place.

    16There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.

  • Ps 115:17
    75%

    17The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.

  • Eccl 2:15-18
    4 verses
    75%

    15So I thought to myself,“The fate of the fool will happen even to me! Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively wise?” So I lamented to myself,“The benefits of wisdom are ultimately meaningless!”

    16For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies– just like the fool!

    17So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile– like chasing the wind.

    18Futility of Being a Workaholic So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor.

  • Eccl 8:10
    74%

    10Contradictions to the Law of Retribution Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma.

  • Eccl 4:1
    73%

    1Evil Oppression on Earth So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

  • Eccl 7:2
    73%

    2It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

  • Job 3:21-22
    2 verses
    72%

    21to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures,

    22who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave?

  • Eccl 3:22
    72%

    22So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

  • Isa 38:18-19
    2 verses
    71%

    18Indeed Sheol does not give you thanks; death does not praise you. Those who descend into the Pit do not anticipate your faithfulness.

    19The living person, the living person, he gives you thanks, as I do today. A father tells his sons about your faithfulness.

  • Eccl 4:7
    71%

    7Labor Motivated by Greed So I again considered another futile thing on earth:

  • Eccl 2:11-12
    2 verses
    71%

    11Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded:“All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

    12Wisdom is Better than Folly Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

  • Ps 49:18
    71%

    18He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive:“May men praise you, for you have done well!”

  • Eccl 6:5-6
    2 verses
    71%

    5though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man–

    6if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!

  • Eccl 2:24-25
    2 verses
    71%

    24Enjoy Work and its Benefits There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

    25For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.

  • Eccl 3:15
    71%

    15Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past.

  • Eccl 11:8
    71%

    8So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many– all that is about to come is obscure.

  • Eccl 8:14-15
    2 verses
    70%

    14Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said,“This also is an enigma.”

    15Enjoy Life In Spite of Its Injustices So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.

  • Ps 6:5
    70%

    5For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks?

  • Eccl 3:12
    70%

    12Enjoy Life in the Present I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,

  • Eccl 6:8
    70%

    8So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?

  • Eccl 1:9-11
    3 verses
    70%

    9What exists now is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing truly new on earth.

    10Is there anything about which someone can say,“Look at this! It is new!”? It was already done long ago, before our time.

    11No one remembers the former events, nor will anyone remember the events that are yet to happen; they will not be remembered by the future generations.

  • Eccl 2:20
    70%

    20So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

  • 1 Pet 4:6
    70%

    6Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.

  • Eccl 1:2
    70%

    2Introduction: Utter Futility“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher,“Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

  • Eccl 9:10
    70%

    10Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.

  • Eccl 12:8
    70%

    8Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher,“All of these things are futile!”

  • Eccl 6:3
    69%

    3Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years– even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity– even if he were to live forever– I would say,“A stillborn child is better off than he is!”

  • Lam 3:6
    69%

    6He has made me reside in deepest darkness like those who died long ago.

  • Ps 146:2
    69%

    2I will praise the LORD as long as I live! I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist!

  • Eccl 6:11
    69%

    11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?

  • Eccl 1:14
    69%

    14I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile– like chasing the wind!

  • Eccl 3:19
    69%

    19For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.