Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 9:5
5For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
- New International Version (NIV)For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.
Context of Ecclesiastes 9:5
3This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: there is one fate for everyone. In addition, the hearts of people are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live; after that they go to the dead. 4But there is hope for whoever is joined with all the living, since a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten. 6Their love, their hate, and their envy have already disappeared, and there is no longer a portion for them in all that is done under the sun. 7Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 9Ecclesiastes 9:5 word by word
כִּ֧י הַֽחַיִּ֛ים יוֹדְעִ֖ים שֶׁיָּמֻ֑תוּ וְהַמֵּתִ֞ים אֵינָ֧ם יוֹדְעִ֣ים מְא֗וּמָה וְאֵֽין־ע֤וֹד לָהֶם֙ שָׂכָ֔ר כִּ֥י נִשְׁכַּ֖ח זִכְרָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- For the livingחַיchay · aliveH2416
- knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- that they shall dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
- not any thingמְא֫וּמָהme'ûmâh · anythingH3972
- neither have they any more a rewardשָׂכָרώâkâr · wagesH7939
- for the memoryזֵ֫כֶרzêker zeker · memorialH2143
- of them is forgottenשָׁכַחshâkach shâkêach · to forgetH7911
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 9:5
- Ecclesiastes 7:2It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.
- Job 30:23Yes, I know that you will lead me to death — the place appointed for all who live.
- Hebrews 9:27And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment —
- Job 14:21If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they become insignificant, he is unaware of it.
- Psalms 6:5For there is no remembrance of you in death; who can thank you in Sheol?
- Psalms 88:10Do you work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise you?Selah
- Isaiah 63:16Yet you are our Father, even though Abraham does not know us and Israel doesn’t recognize us. You, Lord, are our Father; your name is Our Redeemer from Ancient Times.
- Ecclesiastes 2:16For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, since in the days to come both will be forgotten. How is it that the wise person dies just like the fool?
- Ecclesiastes 8:10In such circumstances, I saw the wicked buried. They came and went from the holy place, and they were praised in the city where they did those things. This too is futile.
- Job 7:8The eye of anyone who looks on me will no longer see me. Your eyes will look for me, but I will be gone.
- Psalms 109:15Let their sins always remain before the Lord, and let him remove all memory of them from the earth.
- Isaiah 26:14The dead do not live; departed spirits do not rise up. Indeed, you have punished and destroyed them; you have wiped out all memory of them.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5The living know that they shall die - This is so self-evident that none can doubt it; and therefore all that have this conviction should prepare for death and eternal blessedness. But the dead know not any thing - Cut off from life, they know nothing of what passes under the sun. Their day of probation is ended, and therefore they can have no farther reward in living a holy life; nor can they be liable to any farther punishment for crimes in a state of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5See Ecclesiastes 8:12, note; Ecclesiastes 8:14, note. The living are conscious that there is a future before them: but the dead are unconscious; they earn nothing, receive nothing, even the memory of them soon disappears; they are no longer excited by the passions which belong to people in this life; their share in its activity has ceased. Solomon here describes what he sees, not what he believes; there is no reference here to the fact or the mode of the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 The most despicable living man's state, is preferable to that of the most noble who have died impenitent. Solomon exhorts the wise and pious to cheerful confidence in God, whatever their condition in life. The meanest morsel, coming from their Father's love, in answer to prayer, will have a peculiar relish. Not that we may set our hearts upon the delights of sense, but what God has given us we may use with wisdom. The joy here described, is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-6Hope for enjoyment exists only if the person hoping is alive. So, it is better to be alive (compare Ecclesiastes 6:3; 7:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. know that they shall die--and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ec 7:1-4; Psa 90:12). dead know not anything--that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Is 63:16); also, they know no door of repentance open to them, such as is to all on earth. neither ... reward--no advantage from their worldly labors (Ec 2:18-22; 4:9). memory--not of the righteous (Psa…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 9:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 9
- 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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