New International Version
Ecclesiastes 9:5
5For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.
Context of Ecclesiastes 9:5
3This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. 4Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. 6Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. 7Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
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, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.
- Job 30:23I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
- Hebrews 9:27Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
- Job 14:21If their children are honored, they do not know it; if their offspring are brought low, they do not see it.
- Psalms 6:5Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?
- Psalms 88:10Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you?
- Isaiah 63:16But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
- Ecclesiastes 2:16For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!
- Ecclesiastes 8:10Then too, I saw the wicked buried—those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless.
- Job 7:8The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more.
- Psalms 109:15May their sins always remain before the Lord, that he may blot out their name from the earth.
- Isaiah 26:14They are now dead, they live no more; their spirits do not rise. You punished them and brought them to ruin; 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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