New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 7:3
3Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
- New International Version (NIV)Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:3
1A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking. 5It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:3 word by word
ט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִשְּׂחֹ֑ק כִּֽי־בְרֹ֥עַ פָּנִ֖ים יִ֥יטַב לֵֽב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:3
- Psalms 119:67Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, but now I keep your instructions.
- Psalms 126:5Those who shed tears as they plant will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.
- Jeremiah 31:8Then I will reply, ‘I will bring them back from the land of the north. I will gather them in from the distant parts of the earth. Blind and lame people will come with them, so will pregnant women and women about to give birth. A vast throng of people will come back here.
- Jeremiah 50:4“When that time comes,” says the Lord, “the people of Israel and Judah will return to the land together. They will come back with tears of repentance as they seek the Lord their God.
- Daniel 9:3So I turned my attention to the Lord God to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
- Daniel 10:2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.
- Zechariah 12:10“I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced. They will lament for him as one laments for an only son, and there will be a bitter cry for him like the bitter cry for a firstborn.
- Luke 6:21“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
- John 16:20I tell you the solemn truth, you will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy.
- 2 Corinthians 7:9Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.
- James 4:8Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.
- Romans 5:3Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
- 2 Corinthians 4:17For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
- Hebrews 12:10For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.
- James 1:2My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Sorrow is better than laughter - The reason is immediately given; for by the sorrow of the countenance - the grief of heart that shows itself in the countenance: - The heart is made better - In such cases, most men try themselves at the tribunal of their own consciences, and resolve on amendment of life.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Sorrow - Rather, Seriousness. The heart is made better - i. e., is made bright and joyful (compare 2 Corinthians 6:10). The mind which bears itself equally in human concerns, whether they be pleasant or sorrowful, must always be glad, free, and at peace.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4good for the heart: Thinking clearly about death helps us understand the seriousness of God's curse on sin and shows us the importance of enjoying life wisely (Ecclesiastes 9:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Sorrow--such as arises from serious thoughts of eternity. laughter--reckless mirth (Ec 2:2). by the sadness ... better--(Psa 126:5, 6; 2Co 4:17; He 12:10, 11). Maurer translates: "In sadness of countenance there is (may be) a good (cheerful) heart." So Hebrew, for "good," equivalent to "cheerful" (Ec 11:9); but the parallel clause supports English Version.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:3
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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