Ecclesiastes 9:5

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 9:5

For the living know that they shall die ,.... Death is certain, it is the demerit of sin, the appointment of God and the time of it is fixed; it may be known that it will be, from the word of God that assures it, from all experience which confirms it, and from the decline of nature, and the seeds of death in men. This "the living" know that live corporeally, even the wicked themselves, though they put the evil day far from them; and so good men, that live spiritually, being quickened by the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:5

The 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 probation, that being ended. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

One fate happens to all, and the dead are cut off from all the feelings and interests of life in the upper world. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:5

For the living know that they shall die . This is added in confirmation of the statement in Ecclesiastes 9:4 . The living have at least the consciousness that they will soon have to die, and this leads them to work while it is day, to employ their faculties worthily, to make use of opportunities, to enjoy and profit by the present. They have a certain fixed event to which they must look forward; and they have not to stand idle, lamenting their fate, but their duty and their happiness is to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

See 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 existence of the soul in another world,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 9:4-6

Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 . For to him that is joined to all the living That continues with living men; there is hope He hath not only some comfort for the present, but also hopes of further and greater happiness in this world, which men are very prone to entertain and cherish in themselves. Yea, he may have the hopes of a better life, if he improve his opportunities. For a living dog is better than a dead lion Much happier as to the comforts of this world. “The meanest and most contemptible... 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 9:5

the dead know not any thing. See and Compare Ecclesiastes 9:10 . Psalms 6:5 ; Psalms 30:9 ; Psalms 31:17 ; Psalms 88:11 .Isaiah 38:18 , Isaiah 38:19 . a reward = any advantage [to them]. memory = the faculty of remembering. See note on "them", below. them. The Hebrew suffix "them" must be taken as the subject in all the four nouns alike. As in Ecclesiastes 9:6 , the possessive pronoun "their" is, and must be, taken alike in each case. is forgotten = ceases to exist, as in Psalms 77:9 ,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:5

5. know that they shall die—and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4; Psalms 90:12). dead know not anything—that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Isaiah 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 (Ecclesiastes 2:18-22; Ecclesiastes 4:9). memory—not of the righteous (Psalms... read more

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