Ecclesiastes 4:15

I considered all the living who walk on earth, ¹  as well as the successor ²  who would arise ³  in his place.

I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor.

I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.

Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.

and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king.

I saw all the living under the sun round the young man who was to be ruler in place of the king.

I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that youth who replaced the king;

I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

I considered all the living who walk on earth, ¹  as well as the successor ²  who would arise ³  in his place.

¹ tn Heb “under the sun.”

² tn Heb “the second youth.” It is not clear whether “the second” (הַשֵּׁנִי, hasheni) refers to the young man who succeeds the old king or a second youthful successor.

³ tn The verb עָמַד (’amad, “to stand”) may denote “to arise; to appear; to come on the scene” (e.g., Ps 106:30; Dan 8:22, 23; 11:2-4; 12:1; Ezra 2:63; Neh 7:65); cf. BDB 764 s.v. עָמַד 6.a; HALOT 840 s.v. עמד 1.a.