Ecclesiastes 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Ecc. 7:1-29) (See on Ecc 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 (Isa 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 fragrant only in the place where the person is whose head and garment are scented, and only for a time. The "name" given by God to His child (Rev 3:12) is for ever and in all lands. So in the case of the woman who received an everlasting name from Jesus Christ, in reward for her precious ointment (Isa 56:5; Mar 14:3-9). Jesus Christ Himself hath such a name, as the Messiah, equivalent to Anointed (Sol 1:3). and the day of [his] death, &c.--not a general censure upon God for creating man; but, connected with the previous clause, death is to him, who hath a godly name, "better" than the day of his birth; "far better," as Phi 1:23 has it.
Open source ↗A good name is better than precious ointment,.... The word "good" is not in the text, but is rightly supplied, as it is by Jarchi; for of no other name can this be said; that which is not good cannot be better. Some understand this of the name of God, which is God himself, who is the "summum bonum", and chief happiness of men, and take it to be an answer to the question Ecc 6:12; this and this only is what is a man's good, and is preferable to all outward enjoyments whatever; interest in him as a covenant God; knowledge of him in Christ, which has eternal life annexed to it; communion with him; the discoveries of his lovingkindness, which is better than little; and the enjoyment of him to all eternity. This is true of the name of Christ, whose name Messiah which signifies anointed, is as ointment poured forth, and is preferable to it, Sol 1:3; so his other names, Jesus a Saviour; Jehovah, our righteousness; Immanuel, God with us; are exceeding precious to those who know the worth of him, and see their need of righteousness and salvation by him; his person, and the knowledge of him; his Gospel, and the fame and report it gives of him; infinitely exceed the most precious and fragrant ointment; see Co2 2:14. So the name or names given to the people of God, the new names of Hephzibah and Beulah, the name of sons of God, better than that of sons and daughters; and of Christians, or anointed ones, having received that anointing from Christ which teacheth all things, and so preferable to the choicest ointment, Isa 56:5. Likewise to have a name written in heaven, in the Lamb's book of life, and to have one's name confessed by Christ hereafter before his Father and his holy angels; or even a good name among men, a name for a truly godly gracious person; for love to Christ, zeal…
Open source ↗"Better is a name than precious ointment; and better is the day of death than the day when one is born." Like ראה and ירא, so שׁם and שׁמן stand to each other in the relation of a paronomasia (vid., Song under Sol 1:3). Luther translates: "Ein gut Gercht ist besser denn gute Salbe" "a good odour (= reputation) is better than good ointment. If we substitute the expression denn Wolgeruch than sweet scent, that would be the best possible rendering of the paronomasia. In the arrangement טוב ... טוב שׁם, tov would be adj. to shem (a good reputation goes beyond sweet scent); but tov standing first in the sentence is pred., and shem thus in itself alone, as in the cogn. prov., Pro 22:1, signifies a good, well-sounding, honourable, if not venerable name; cf. anshē hashshem, Gen 6:4; veli-shem, nameless, Job 30:8. The author gives the dark reverse to this bright side of the distich: the day of death better than the day in which one (a man), or he (the man), is born; cf. for this reference of the pronoun, Ecc 4:12; Ecc 5:17. It is the same lamentation as at Ecc 4:2., which sounds less strange from the mouth of a Greek than from that of an Israelite; a Thracian tribe, the Trausi, actually celebrated their birthdays as days of sadness, and the day of death as a day of rejoicing (vid., Bhr's Germ. translat. of Herodotus, Ecc 4:4). - Among the people of the Old Covenant this was not possible; also a saying such as Ecc 7:1 is not in the spirit of the O.T. revelation of religion; yet it is significant that it was possible (Note: "The reflections of the Preacher," says Hitzig (Sd. deut. ev. protest. Woch. Blatt, 1864, No. 2) "present the picture of a time in which men, participating in the recollection of a mighty religious past, and become sceptical by reason of the sadness of the pre…
Open source ↗In these verses Solomon lays down some great truths which seem paradoxes to the unthinking part, that is, the far greatest part, of mankind. I. That the honour of virtue is really more valuable and desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world (Ecc 7:1): A good name is before good ointment (so it may be read); it is preferable to it, and will be rather chosen by all that are wise. Good ointment is here put for all the profits of the earth (among the products of which oil was reckoned one of the most valuable), for all the delights of sense (for ointment and perfume which rejoice the heart, and it is called the oil of gladness), nay, and for the highest titles of honour with which men are dignified, for kings are anointed. A good name is better than all riches (Pro 21:1), that is, a name for wisdom and goodness with those that are wise and good - the memory of the just; this is a good that will bring a more grateful pleasure to the mind, will give a man a larger opportunity of usefulness, and will go further, and last longer, than the most precious box of ointment; for Christ paid Mary for her ointment with a good name, a name in the gospels (Mat 26:13), and we are sure he always pays with advantage. II. That, all things considered, our going out of the world is a great kindness to us than our coming into the world was: The day of death is preferable to the birthday; though, as to others, there was joy when a child was born into the world, and where there is death there is lamentation, yet, as to ourselves, if we have lived so as to merit a good name, the day of our death, which will put a period to our cares, and toils, and sorrows, and remove us to rest, and joy, and eternal satisfaction, is better than the day of our birth, which ushered us into a world of…
Open source ↗7:1-4 These proverbs are similar to the sayings in the book of Proverbs. 7:1 The effort to pursue luxuries such as costly perfume is better spent seeking a good reputation for wisdom and righteousness (Prov 22:1; 28:6). • the day you die is better than the day you are born: There is a sense of relief when the troubles of life are over. The difficulties of life can make one look forward to the peace of death (Eccl 1:18; 2:22; 4:2-3; 12:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… סוֹף (çôwph, H5490) — a termination אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3708) — vexation טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שְׂחוֹק (sᵉchôwq, H7814) — laughter (in merriment or defiance) רֹעַ (rôaʻ, H7455) — badness (as marring), physically or morally פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,…
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… גְּעָרָה (gᵉʻârâh, H1606) — a chiding חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
Open source ↗קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound סִיר (çîyr, H5518) — a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook שְׂחוֹק (sᵉchôwq, H7814) — laughter (in merriment or defiance) כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗עֹשֶׁק (ʻôsheq, H6233) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… מַתָּנָה (mattânâh, H4979) — a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) אָרֵךְ (ʼârêk, H750) — long רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… גָּבָהּ (gâbâhh, H1362) — lofty (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בָּהַל (bâhal, H926) — to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly)… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3707) — to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3708) — vexation נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… חֵיק (chêyq, H2436) — the bosom (literally or figuratively) כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense)
Open source ↗חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… יוֹתֵר (yôwthêr, H3148) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched…
Open source ↗חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in…
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) תָּקַן (tâqan, H8626) — to equalize, i.e. straighten (intransitive or transitive); figuratively, to compose עָוַת (ʻâvath, H5791) — to wrest
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… דִּבְרָה (dibrâh, H1700) — a reason, suit or style אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מְאוּמָה (mᵉʼûwmâh, H3972) — properly, a speck or point, i.e. (by implication) something; with negative, nothing אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest.