Ecclesiastes 9:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For him who is joined to all the living there is hope; a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Webster's Revision
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
World English Bible
For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 9:4 Bible Commentary
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 better than a dead lion - I suppose this was a proverb. The smallest measure of animal existence is better than the largest of dead matter. The poorest living peasant is infinitely above Alexander the Great.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 9:4 Bible Commentary
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.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 9:4 Bible Commentary
9:4 Joined - That continues with living men. Hope - He hath not only some comfort for the present, but also hopes of further happiness in this world. Better - Much happier as to the comforts of this world.