Ecclesiastes 9:4 NASB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:4-10

Solomon, in a fret, had praised the dead more than the living (Eccl. 4:2); but here, considering the advantages of life to prepare for death and make sure the hope of a better life, he seems to be of another mind. I. He shows the advantages which the living have above those that are dead, Eccl. 9:4-6. 1. While there is life there is hope. Dum spiro, spero?While I breathe, I hope. It is the privilege of the living that they are joined to the living, in relation, commerce, and conversation, and,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope ,.... That is, who is among the living, is one of them, and, as long as he is, there is hope, if his circumstances are mean, and he is poor and afflicted, that it may be better with him in time; see Job 14:7 ; or of his being a good man, though now wicked; of his being called and converted, as some are at the eleventh hour, even on a death bed; and especially there is a hope of men, if they are under the means of grace, seeing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope - While a man lives he hopes to amend, and he hopes to have a better lot; and thus life is spent, hoping to grow better, and hoping to get more. The Vulgate has, "There is none that shall live always, nor has any hope of such a thing." Perhaps the best translation is the following: "What, therefore, is to be chosen? In him that is living there is hope." Then choose that eternal life which thou hopest to possess. A living dog is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

One fate happens to all, and the dead are cut off from all the feelings and interests of life in the upper world. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope . As long as a man lives (is one of living beings) he has some hope, whatever it be. This feeling is inextinguishable even unto the end. ἄελπτον οὐδέν πάντα δ ελπίζειν χρεών "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Thus Bailey sings, in 'Festus'— "All Have hopes, however wretched they may be, Or blessed. It is hope which lifts the lark so high, Hope of a lighter air and bluer sky; And the poor hack which... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him - Rather: “Yet to him.” Notwithstanding evils, life has its advantage, and especially when compared with death.Dog - To the Hebrews a type of all that was contemptible 1 Samuel 17:43. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 9:4-6

Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 . For to him that is joined to all the living That continues with living men; there is hope He hath not only some comfort for the present, but also hopes of further and greater happiness in this world, which men are very prone to entertain and cherish in themselves. Yea, he may have the hopes of a better life, if he improve his opportunities. For a living dog is better than a dead lion Much happier as to the comforts of this world. “The meanest and most contemptible... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Life’s opportunities (9:1-12)A person may believe that life is under the control of God, but still not know whether the experiences one meets in life are a sign of God’s pleasure or a sign of his anger. The same fate, death, comes to all (9:1-3). Good people have no advantage over the bad. The only advantage is that of the living over the dead. The living can still do things, but the dead are useless and forgotten (4-6).Therefore, people should enjoy life to the full while they have the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 9:4

For to him that is joined. Connect this with the end of preceding verse and render "For who is excepted? To all the living", &c. hope = confidence. Hebrew. bittahon (from batah) . App-69 . Occurs only here, 2 Kings 18:19 , and Isaiah 36:4 . a living dog, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia, App-6 . Same proverb in Arabic. living dog. Regarded by the Jews as the most unclean and despicable creature (1 Samuel 17:43 ; 1 Samuel 24:14 . 2Sa 9:8 ; 2 Samuel 16:9 . 2 Kings 8:13 .Matthew 7:6 ;... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:4

Ecclesiastes 9:4. For to him that is joined to all the living, there is hope— And surely, whoever is in society, with all the living, hath hope. For a living dog hath a better chance than a dead lion. The last sentence may be literally rendered thus: Good shall rather happen to a living dog than to a dead lion; which is the foundation of hope expressed in the words immediately preceding. It is very evident, that Solomon speaks in these verses solely of a man's state with respect to this world;... read more