New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 9:5
5For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears.
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 the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives – then they die. 4But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears. 6What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth. 7Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved 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 funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.
- Job 30:23I know that you are bringing me to death, to the meeting place for all the living.
- Hebrews 9:27And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,
- Job 14:21If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it.
- Psalms 6:5For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks?
- Psalms 88:10Do you accomplish amazing things for the dead? Do the departed spirits rise up and give you thanks? (Selah)
- Isaiah 63:16For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our father; you have been called our protector from ancient times.
- Ecclesiastes 2:16For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies – just like the fool!
- Ecclesiastes 8:10Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma.
- Job 7:8The eye of him who sees me now will see me no more; your eyes will look for me, but I will be gone.
- Psalms 109:15May the Lord be constantly aware of them, and cut off the memory of his children from the earth!
- Isaiah 26:14The dead do not come back to life, the spirits of the dead do not rise. That is because you came in judgment and destroyed them, you 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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