a.den marks a continuing or not-yet-completed state in the contrasts of Ecclesiastes 4:2–3.

In Ecclesiastes 4:2–3, a.den marks what remains the case: the living are contrasted with those already dead, and another person is described as not yet having existed or seen the harmful work under the sun.

1. Continuing or not-yet-completed condition · dominant

   Both occurrences are adverbs within a sequence of contrasts. In Ecclesiastes 4:2 the APB renders the contrast between those who “have already died” and “the living who are still alive”; in Ecclesiastes 4:3 it describes one who “has not yet existed” and has not seen the harmful work under the sun.

   Ecclesiastes 4:2Ecclesiastes 4:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the two clauses with “still alive” and “has not yet existed.” These renderings show the verses' continuing and not-yet-completed contrasts rather than fixing a separate English equivalent for each form.