They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger. The speedy death by the sword is better than the lingering death by famine.
For these pine away - literally, flow out; referring to the flow of blood. This expression, and "stricken through," are drawn from death by "the sword," to imply that famine is the sword by which their blood flows out, they being "stricken through" with the sharp hunger-pain.
For want of the fruits. The words in italics have to be supplied in the original (Genesis 18:28; Psalms 109:24). [Yodh (y)]