Ecclesiastes9
New American Standard
1For I have taken all this to my heart, even to examine it all, that righteous people, wise people, and their deeds are in the hand of God. People do not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits them.
2It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and the unclean; for the person who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good person is, so is the sinner; the one who swears an oath is just as the one who is afraid to swear an oath.
3This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of mankind are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterward they go to the dead.
4For whoever is joined to all the living, there is hope; for better a live dog, than a dead lion.
5For the living know that they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor do they have a reward any longer, for their memory is forgotten.
6Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.
7Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.
8See that your clothes are white all the time, and that there is no lack of oil on your head.
9Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your futile life which He has given you under the sun, all the days of your futility; for this is your reward in life and in your work which you have labored under the sun.
10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
11I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning, nor favor to the skillful; for time and chance overtake them all.
12For indeed, a person does not know his time: like fish that are caught in a treacherous net and birds caught in a snare, so the sons of mankind are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.
13This too I saw as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me:
14there was a small city with few men in it, and a great king came to it, surrounded it, and constructed large siegeworks against it.
15But there was found in it a poor wise man, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are ignored.
17The words of the wise heard in calm are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ecclesiastes 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Good and bad men fare alike as to this world. (1-3). All men must die, Their portion as to this life. (4-10). Disappointments common. (11,12) . Benefits of wisdom. (13-18).
vv1-3
We are not to think our searching into the word or works of God useless, because we cannot explain all difficulties. We may learn many things good for ourselves and useful to others. But man cannot always decide who are objects of God's special love, or under his wrath; and God will certainly put a difference between the precious and the vile, in the other world. The difference as to present happiness, arises from the inward supports and consolations the righteous enjoy, and the benefit they derive from varied trials and mercies. As far as the sons of men are left to themselves, their hearts are full of evil; and prosperity in sin, causes them even to set God at defiance by daring wickedness. Though, on this side death, the righteous and the wicked may often seem to fare alike, on the other side there will be a vast difference between them.
vv4-10
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 the gladness of heart that springs from a sense of the Divine favour. This is the world of service, that to come is the world of recompence. All in their stations, may find some work to do. And above all, sinners have the salvation of their souls to seek after, believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation.
vv11-12
Men's success seldom equals their expectations. We must use means, but not trust to them: if we succeed, we must give God the praise; if crossed, we must submit to his will. Those who put off the great concerns of their souls, are caught in Satan's net, which he baits with some worldly object, for which they reject or neglect the gospel, and go on in sin till they suddenly fall into destruction.
Key Words
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זֶה: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
בּוּר: to bore, i.e. (figuratively) examine
צַדִּיק: just
חָכָם: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
עֲבָד: a deed
יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 9White garments signify spiritual joy, purity, and the spotless righteousness of the redeemed.
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The redeemed arrayed in white robes, symbolizing victory and acceptance in God's presence.
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Christ's exhortation to work while it is day parallel's Solomon's call to work before the grave.
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Confirms that battle success does not belong to human strength, but is in God's hand.
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Delayed execution of judgment makes the hearts of men fully set on madness and evil.
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The garment of praise and oil of joy, contrasting with mourning and a gloomy exterior.
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Warns the wise, mighty, and rich not to glory in human efforts, which are subject to providence.
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A historical parallel where a wise woman's counsel delivered a besieged city from destruction.
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Achan's individual sin brought ruin upon Israel, illustrating how one sinner destroyeth much good.
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Though outward events are currently identical, God will ultimately make a distinction between good and bad.
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Contrasts the earthly hope of a tree sprouting again with the absolute finality of human death.
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The godly exhortation to find joy and contentment with the wife of one's youth.
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Committing our works to God's hand, as our plans and events are entirely under His control.
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Remembering our mortality teaches us to work diligently and apply our hearts to wisdom now.
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