Ecclesiastes 4:3–4
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.
*Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceIob 3.11, 16,21.
¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. all the rightnes of worke.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. this is the enuie of a man from his neighbour.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
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Cross References
10 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 3
- Luke 23:29Rank 1 from verse 3
29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
29For beholde, the dayes are comming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that neuer bare, and the paps which neuer gaue sucke.
- Ecclesiastes 6:3–5Rank 2 from verse 3
3¶ If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
4For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
5Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
3¶ If a man beget an hundred children, and liue many yeeres, so that the dayes of his yeeres bee many: and his soule be not filled with good, and also that he haue no buriall, I say, that an vntimely birth is better then he.
4For he commeth in with vanitie, and departeth in darkenesse, and his name shall be couered with darkenesse.
5Moreouer hee hath not seene the Sunne, nor knowen any thing: this hath more rest then the other.
- Matthew 24:19Rank 3 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 2:17Rank 4 from verse 3
- Jeremiah 20:17–18Rank 5 from verse 3
17Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
18Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
17Because he slew me not from the wombe: or that my mother might haue beene my graue, and her wombe to be alwaies great with me.
18*Wherefore came I forth out of the wombe to see labour and sorrow, that my daies should be consumed with shame?
- Jeremiah 9:2–3Rank 6 from verse 3
2Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.
2Oh that I had in the wildernesse a lodging place of wayfaring men, that I might leaue my people, and goe from them: for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3And they bend their tongue like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the trueth vpon the earth: for they proceed from euil to euill, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
- Job 10:18–19Rank 7 from verse 3
18Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!
19I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
18*Wherfore then hast thou brought me forth out of the wombe? Oh that I had giuen vp the ghost, and no eye had seene me!
19I should haue bene as though I had not bene, I should haue bene caried from the wombe to the graue.
- Job 3:10–16Rank 8 from verse 3
10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14With kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;
15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
10Because it shut not vp the doores of my mothers wombe, nor hid sorrowe from mine eyes.
11Why died I not from the wombe? why did I not giue vp the ghost when I came out of the bellie?
12Why did the knees preuent mee? or why the breasts, that I should sucke?
13For now should I haue lien still and beene quiet, I should haue slept; then had I bene at rest,
14With Kings and counsellers of the earth, which built desolate places for themselues,
15Or with Princes that had golde, who filled their houses with siluer:
16Or as an hidden vntimely birth, I had not bene; as infants which neuer saw light.
- Psalms 55:6–11Rank 10 from verse 3
6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
6And I said, O that I had wings like a doue; for then would I flee away and be at rest.
7Loe, then would I wander farre off, and remaine in the wildernesse. Selah.
8I would hasten my escape from the windie storme, and tempest.
9Destroy, O LORD, and diuide their tongues: for I haue seene violence and strife in the citie.
10Day and night they goe about it vpon the walles thereof: mischiefe also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11Wickednesse is in the midst thereof: deceite and guile depart not from her streets.
- Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 11 from verse 3
From verse 4
- 1 John 3:12Rank 1 from verse 4
12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slewe his brother: and wherefore slewe hee him? because his owne workes were euill, and his brothers righteous.
- Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 2 from verse 4
- Ecclesiastes 2:21Rank 3 from verse 4
21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
21†For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.
- Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 4 from verse 4
26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
- 1 Samuel 18:14–16Rank 5 from verse 4
14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.
15Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
14And Dauid ‖behaued himselfe wisely in all his wayes; & the LORD was with him.
15Wherefore when Saul saw that hee behaued himselfe very wisely, hee was afraid of him.
16But all Israel and Iudah loued Dauid, because hee went out and came in before them.
- 1 Samuel 18:29–30Rank 6 from verse 4
29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
30Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
29And Saul was yet the more afraid of Dauid; and Saul became Dauids enemie continually.
30Then the Princes of the Philistines went foorth: and it came to passe after they went foorth, that Dauid behaued himselfe more wisely then all the seruants of Saul, so that his name was †much set by.
- 1 Samuel 18:8–9Rank 7 from verse 4
8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying †displeased him, and he sayd, They haue ascribed vnto Dauid tenne thousands, and to me they haue ascribed but thousands: and what can he haue more, but the kingdome?
9And Saul eyed Dauid from that day, and forward.
- Ecclesiastes 4:16Rank 8 from verse 4
16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
16 There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 6:9Rank 9 from verse 4
- Genesis 37:2–11Rank 10 from verse 4
2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
5¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
7For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
9¶ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
2These are the generations of Iacob: Ioseph being seuenteene yeeres old, was feeding the flocke with his brethren, and the lad was with the sonnes of Bilhah, and with the sonnes of Zilpah, his fathers wiues: and Ioseph brought vnto his father their euill report.
3Now Israel loued Ioseph more then all his children, because he was the sonne of his old age: and he made him a coat of many ‖colours.
4And when his brethren saw that their father loued him more then all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speake peaceably vnto him.
5¶ And Ioseph dreamed a dreame, and he told it his brethren, and they hated him yet the more.
6And he said vnto them, Heare, I pray you, this dreame which I haue dreamed.
7For beholde, wee were binding sheaues in the field, and loe, my sheafe arose, and also stood vpright; and behold, your sheaues stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheafe.
8And his brethren saide to him, Shalt thou indeed reigne ouer vs? or shalt thou indeed haue dominion ouer vs? and they hated him yet the more, for his dreames, and for his words.
9¶ And hee dreamed yet another dreame, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I haue dreamed a dreame more: and behold, the sunne and the moone, and the eleuen starres made obeisance to me.
10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said vnto him, What is this dreame that thou hast dreamed? shal I, and thy mother, and thy brethren indeed come to bow downe our selues to thee, to the earth?
11And his brethren enuied him: but his father obserued the saying.
- Genesis 4:4–8Rank 11 from verse 4
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his †flocke, and of the fat thereof: and the LORD had *respect vnto Abel, and to his offering.
5But vnto Cain, and to his offring he had not respect: and Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said vnto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doe well, shalt thou not ‖be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sinne lieth at the doore: And ‖vnto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule ouer him.
8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to passe *when they were in the field, that Cain rose vp against Abel his brother, and slew him.
- Matthew 27:18Rank 12 from verse 4
- Proverbs 27:4Rank 13 from verse 4
- Ecclesiastes 6:11Rank 15 from verse 4
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:3
1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
considered
Looked at, attended to, examined, or thought carefully about; took into account.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of envy, meaning to feel such jealousy.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Trouble, distress, irritation, or that which wearies and afflicts the mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
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Surrounding Verses
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2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
2*Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the liuing which are yet aliue.
3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
3*Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne.
Selected passage4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
Selected passage5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
5*The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh.