Ecclesiastes 4:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:1

Ecclesiastes 4:1. So I returned, and considered I considered again more seriously; all the oppressions under the sun Whether by princes, magistrates, or other potent persons; and the tears of such as were oppressed Their grievous sufferings, sighs, and groans. And they had no comforter None afforded them either pity or succour. For such was the greatness and power of their oppressors, that, as they could not defend themselves against them, so none else durst express their compassion... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 4:2-3

Ecclesiastes 4:2-3. Wherefore I praised the dead, &c. I judged them less miserable. For this is certain, that setting aside the future life, which Solomon doth not meddle with in the present debate, and considering the uncertainty, and vanity, and manifold calamities of the present life, a wise man would not account it worth his while to live. Yea, better is he than both they “Much more desirable than either of these is it not to have come into the world at all; and so to have had no... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

Injustice in the world (3:16-4:3)Having acknowledged God’s order in human events, the writer now observes that the ‘order’ is, at times, not very orderly. For example, injustice abounds (16). Maybe, thinks the writer, God will put everything right in a judgment day in the afterlife (17). On the other hand, thinks he, there may not be an afterlife. He observes that people die the same as animals, as if God is trying to show that they are no different from the beasts. Also, he asks, can it be... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 4:1

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 . side. Hebrew "hand": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the violence proceeding from it. they: i.e. the oppressed. The phrase repeated for emphasis. Figure of speech Epistrophe. App-6 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 4:2

praised = commended, or pronounced happy. Hebrew. sliabach, used only by David and Solomon. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:1

OPPRESSION AND THE OPPRESSEDEcclesiastes 4:1-3"Then 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 who are yet alive; 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... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:1

Ecclesiastes 4:1. So I returned, and considered, &c.— I considered again, and I observed. See on on chap. Ecclesiastes 2:11. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:1

1. returned—namely, to the thought set forth (Ecclesiastes 3:16; Job 35:9). power—MAURER, not so well, "violence." no comforter—twice said to express continued suffering without any to give comfort (Isaiah 53:7). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 4:2

2. A profane sentiment if severed from its connection; but just in its bearing on Solomon's scope. If religion were not taken into account (Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 3:19), 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 (Ecclesiastes 3:19- :). Job (Job 3:12; Job 21:7), David (Psalms 73:3, c.), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1), Habakkuk (Jeremiah 12:1- :), all passed through the same perplexity, until they went... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

2. Labor and divine providence 3:1-4:3In this section, Solomon expressed his conviction that in view of God’s incomprehensible workings, all human toil is without permanent profit. read more

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