They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for lack of the fruits of the field.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
For. Literally, "by the barrenness of the earth. "(Haydock)
Such a death was, no doubt, more painful than to perish quickly by the sword. (Calmet)
Here in Verse 9 is considered a comparison. As said: "Happier were the victims of the sword than the victims of hunger, who pined away, stricken by want of the fruits of the field." That is, they were cast down, as soon as they were afflicted. As the Book of Sirach says: "Death is better than a miserable life, and eternal rest than chronic sickness" (Sir 30:17).
