New International Version
Ecclesiastes 7:1
1A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the 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.
- 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;
- New Living Translation (NLT)A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. 2It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. 3Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face 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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:1
- Proverbs 15:30Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
- Proverbs 22:1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
- Isaiah 56:5to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.
- Luke 10:20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
- Hebrews 11:2This is what the ancients were commended for.
- Ecclesiastes 10:1As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
- Psalms 133:2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
- Proverbs 27:9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
- John 13:2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
- Ecclesiastes 4:2And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
- Job 3:17There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest.
- Isaiah 57:1The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
- 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, 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 14:13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, 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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