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; Matthew 15:26; Revelation 22:15). Hence Gentiles so called.
is. he [is]: i.e. even he.
better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24.
lion. Regarded as the noblest of animals (Genesis 49:10; Job 10:16; Isaiah 38:13.Lamentations 3:10; Hosea 13:7; Revelation 5:5).