Ecclesiastes 9:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:4-10

Solomon, in a fret, had praised the dead more than the living (Eccl. 4:2); but here, considering the advantages of life to prepare for death and make sure the hope of a better life, he seems to be of another mind. I. He shows the advantages which the living have above those that are dead, Eccl. 9:4-6. 1. While there is life there is hope. Dum spiro, spero?While I breathe, I hope. It is the privilege of the living that they are joined to the living, in relation, commerce, and conversation, and,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do ,.... Not anything that is evil, which is near at hand, and easy to be found, and is in the power of men's hands to do, Romans 7:21 ; for this is forbidden of God, abominable to him, and hurtful to men; but whatsoever is good; so the Targum, "to do good and alms to the poor;' even all good works in general, which God requires of men, and it is their duty to do; though they are not meritorious of anything at his hands, nor is there justification or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do - Examine here the What the How, and the Why. I. What is necessary to be done in this life, in reference to another? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:7-12

These verses give the application of the facts just mentioned. The inscrutability of the moral government of the world, the uncertainty of life, the condition of the dead, lead to the conclusion again that one should use one's life to the best advantage; and Koheleth repeats his caution concerning the issues and duration of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . In accordance with what has been already said, and to combat the idea that, as man cannot control his fate, he should take no pains to work his work, but fold his hands in resigned inaction, Koheleth urges him not to despair, but to do his part manfully as long as life is given, and with all the energies of his soul carry out the purpose of his being. The Septuagint gives, "All things whatsoever thy hand shall find to do, do it as thy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:7-12

Read these six verses connectedly, in order to arrive at the meaning of the writer; and compare Ecclesiastes 2:1-12.After the description Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 of the portionless condition of the dead, the next thought which occurs is that the man who is prosperous and active should simply enjoy his portion all through this life Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; and then Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 follows the correcting thought (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 note), introduced as usual Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, &c. Whatever thou hast opportunity and ability to, in the duties of thy calling, or for the glory of God and the good of thy fellow creatures; do it with all thy might With unwearied diligence, vigour, and expedition. Hereby again Solomon shows, that he does not persuade men to an idle and sensual life, but only to a sober enjoyment of their comforts in God’s fear, and with an industrious prosecution of the business of their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Life’s opportunities (9:1-12)A person may believe that life is under the control of God, but still not know whether the experiences one meets in life are a sign of God’s pleasure or a sign of his anger. The same fate, death, comes to all (9:1-3). Good people have no advantage over the bad. The only advantage is that of the living over the dead. The living can still do things, but the dead are useless and forgotten (4-6).Therefore, people should enjoy life to the full while they have the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 9:10

thy hand findeth to do. Hand put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the strength put forth by it (Leviticus 12:8 ; Leviticus 25:28 ). do it with thy might = do it while thou art able, and have time to do it. nor knowledge, &c. See note on Ecclesiastes 9:5 , above. wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2 . t he grave. Hebrew Sheol. App-35 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Ecclesiastes 9:10. In the grave whither thou goest— In the abode of the dead whither thou goest. See Peters on Job, p. 324. We have here the second inference. Whatever may be the use of other faculties to be acquired in another state, since those we now have are talents entrusted with us only for a time, it becomes us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity, and to use them to the best purposes that we can before we are divested of them. read more

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