Berean Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:1
1A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
- New International Version (NIV)A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth. 2It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:1 word by word
ט֥וֹב שֵׁ֖ם מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן ט֑וֹב וְי֣וֹם הַמָּ֔וֶת מִיּ֖וֹם הִוָּלְדֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:1
- Proverbs 15:30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
- Proverbs 22:1A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
- Isaiah 56:5I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
- Luke 10:20Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
- Hebrews 11:2This is why the ancients were commended.
- Ecclesiastes 10:1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
- Psalms 133:2It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
- Proverbs 27:9Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.
- John 13:2The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
- Ecclesiastes 4:2So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.
- Job 3:17There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest.
- Isaiah 57:1The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil.
- 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
- Philippians 1:21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
- Revelation 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1A good name - Unsatisfactory as all sublunary things are, yet still there are some which are of great consequence, and among them a good name. The place is well paraphrased in the following verses: "A spotless name, By virtuous deeds acquired, is sweeter far Than fragant balms, whose odors round diffused Regale the invited guests. Well may such men Rejoice at death's approach, and bless the hours That end their toilsome pilgrimage; assured That till the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Name ointment - The likeness between reputation and odor supplies a common metaphor: the contrast is between reputation, as an honorable attainment which only wise people win, and fragrant odor, as a gratification of the senses which all people enjoy. The connection of this verse with the preceding verses is this: the man, who wants to know what is profitable for man and good in this life, is here told to act in such a way as ordinarily secures a good…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The benefit of a good name; of death above life; of sorrow above vain mirth. (Eccl. 7:1-6) Concerning oppression, anger, and discontent. (Eccl. 7:7-10) Advantages of wisdom. (Eccl. 7:11-22) Experience of the evil of sin. (Eccl. 7:23-29) Verses 1-6 Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It will do more good to go to a funeral than to a feast. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1It is better to seek a good reputation for wisdom and righteousness than to pursue luxuries like expensive perfume (Proverbs 22:1; 28:6). one’s day of death is better than his day of birth: There is relief when life's troubles end. Life's difficulties can make one look forward to the peace of death (Ecclesiastes 1:18; 2:22; 4:2–3; 12:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-29Ec 7:1-29. 1. (See on Ec 6:12). name--character; a godly mind and life; not mere reputation with man, but what a man is in the eyes of God, with whom the name and reality are one thing (Is 9:6). This alone is "good," while all else is "vanity" when made the chief end. ointment--used lavishly at costly banquets and peculiarly refreshing in the sultry East. The Hebrew for "name" and for "ointment," have a happy paronomasia, Sheem and Shemen. "Ointment" is…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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