CINXE.COM
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/21_Ecc_09_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 9:5 - Death Comes to Good and Bad" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 9:4">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 9:5 <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-6.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 9:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they no longer have a reward [here], for the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We know we will die, but the dead don't know a thing. Nothing good will happen to them--they are gone and forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything. There is no more reward for the dead when the memory of them has faded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Yes, the living know they are going to die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward; they are completely forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward--and even the memory of them disappears. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For the living know that they die, and the dead do not know anything, and there is no more reward to them, for their remembrance has been forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For the living know that they die, and the dead know not anything, and there is no more to them a reward, for their remembrance hath been forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the living know they shall die: and the dead know not any thing, and no more to them a reward; for their remembrance was forgotten.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more, neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For the living know that they themselves will die, yet truly the dead know nothing anymore, nor do they have any recompense. For the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they are to die, but the dead no longer know anything. There is no further recompense for them, because all memory of them is lost.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the living know that they are dying, and the dead do not know a thing, and there is no more reward for them, because their memory is forgotten<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the living will know that they shall die: but the dead know nothing, and there is no longer any reward to them; for their memory is lost.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1686" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Death Comes to Good and Bad</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">the living</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·wḏ·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: še·yā·mu·ṯū (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">that they will die,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: wə·ham·mê·ṯîm (Conj-w, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">but the dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·wḏ·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nām (Adv:: 3mp) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3972.htm" title="3972: mə·’ū·māh (N-ms) -- Anything. Apparently a form of m'uwm; properly, a speck or point, i.e. something; with negative, nothing.">nothing.</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">They have no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">further</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7939.htm" title="7939: śā·ḵār (N-ms) -- Hire, wages. From sakar; payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit.">reward,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/2143.htm" title="2143: ziḵ·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Remembrance, memorial. Or zeker; from zakar; a memento, abstr. Recollection; by implication, commemoration.">the memory</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: niš·kaḥ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">of them is forgotten.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Psalm 146:4</a></span><br />When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-21.htm">Job 14:21</a></span><br />If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Isaiah 38:18-19</a></span><br />For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. / The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/6-5.htm">Psalm 6:5</a></span><br />For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-9.htm">Job 7:9-10</a></span><br />As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up. / He never returns to his house; his place remembers him no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a></span><br />And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-17.htm">Psalm 115:17</a></span><br />It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-14.htm">Isaiah 26:14</a></span><br />The dead will not live; the departed spirits will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them; You have wiped out all memory of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a></span><br />Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-14</a></span><br />After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” / His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” / They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-18.htm">1 Corinthians 15:18-20</a></span><br />Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. / If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. / But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Luke 16:22-23</a></span><br />One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Revelation 14:13</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-52</a></span><br />Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a></span><br />Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">the living</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:2</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that <i>is</i> the end of all men; and the living will lay <i>it</i> to his heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/30-23.htm">Job 30:23</a></b></br> For I know <i>that</i> thou wilt bring me <i>to</i> death, and <i>to</i> the house appointed for all living.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a></b></br> And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:</p><p class="hdg">the dead</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-21.htm">Job 14:21</a></b></br> His sons come to honour, and he knoweth <i>it</i> not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth <i>it</i> not of them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/6-5.htm">Psalm 6:5</a></b></br> For in death <i>there is</i> no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-10.htm">Psalm 88:10,11</a></b></br> Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise <i>and</i> praise thee? Selah… </p><p class="hdg">for the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:16</a></b></br> For <i>there is</i> no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now <i>is</i> in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise <i>man</i>? as the fool.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:10</a></b></br> And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this <i>is</i> also vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-8.htm">Job 7:8-10</a></b></br> The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no <i>more</i>: thine eyes <i>are</i> upon me, and I <i>am</i> not… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/139-14.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm">Further</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Reward</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/6-12.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Die</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Further</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-16.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-8.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-9.htm">Reward</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">like things happen to good and bad</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm">there is a necessity of death unto men</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Comfort is all their portion in this life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-11.htm">God's providence rules over all</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm">wisdom is better than strength</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the living know that they will die</b><br>This phrase highlights the awareness of mortality that distinguishes the living from the dead. In biblical context, this awareness is a recurring theme, as seen in <a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a>, which encourages believers to "number our days" to gain wisdom. The acknowledgment of death serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life, urging individuals to live with purpose and in accordance with God's will. Historically, this understanding of mortality was prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where life was often seen as fleeting and uncertain.<p><b>but the dead know nothing</b><br>This statement reflects the belief that death brings an end to earthly knowledge and activity. In the Old Testament, Sheol is often depicted as a place of silence and inactivity (<a href="/psalms/115-17.htm">Psalm 115:17</a>). This view contrasts with the New Testament revelation of eternal life through Jesus Christ, as seen in <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a>, where Jesus declares Himself the resurrection and the life. The phrase underscores the finality of death from an earthly perspective, emphasizing the importance of making decisions for God while alive.<p><b>They have no further reward</b><br>The concept of reward in this context refers to earthly achievements and recognition. Once a person dies, they can no longer partake in the rewards or pursuits of this world. This aligns with the teachings in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>, where Jesus advises storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The phrase serves as a caution against placing too much value on temporal rewards, encouraging a focus on eternal significance.<p><b>because the memory of them is forgotten</b><br>This phrase speaks to the fleeting nature of human legacy and remembrance. In ancient cultures, being remembered was often associated with honor and significance. However, Ecclesiastes points out the inevitability of being forgotten over time, as seen in <a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a>, which compares human life to grass that withers. This serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the importance of seeking a lasting legacy through faithfulness to God, as exemplified by the enduring impact of Jesus Christ's life and teachings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, reflecting on the meaning of life and the human condition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to which Solomon belonged. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's reign influences the themes and messages found in Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_living_and_the_dead.htm">The Living and the Dead</a></b><br>The verse contrasts the state of the living, who are aware of their mortality, with the dead, who are described as knowing nothing and having no further reward.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_death.htm">The Certainty of Death</a></b><br>Life is temporary, and death is a certainty for all. This awareness should lead us to live with purpose and intentionality, focusing on what truly matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_earthly_pursuits.htm">The Limitations of Earthly Pursuits</a></b><br>Earthly achievements and rewards are temporary. We should prioritize eternal values and invest in what has lasting significance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_legacy.htm">The Importance of Legacy</a></b><br>While the memory of individuals may fade, the impact of a godly life can endure. We should strive to leave a legacy of faith and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Understanding the finality of death should encourage us to live with an eternal perspective, seeking God's will and aligning our lives with His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_the_dead_aware_of_events_on_earth.htm">Are the dead aware of events on earth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_9_5_fit_with_an_active_afterlife.htm">In Ecclesiastes 9:5, if the dead truly “know nothing,” how does that square with verses elsewhere suggesting an active afterlife? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_ghosts.htm">What does the Bible say about ghosts and hauntings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_soul_sleep.htm">What does the Bible say about soul sleep?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For the living know that they shall die</span>. This is added in confirmation of the statement in ver. 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 accept the inevitable and make the best of it. <span class="cmt_word">But the dead know not anything</span>. They are cut off from the active, bustling world; their work is done; they have nothing to expect, nothing to labor for. What passes upon earth affects them not; the knowledge of it reaches them no longer. Aristotle's idea was that the dead did know something, in a hazy and indistinct way, of what went on in the upper world, and were in some slight degree influenced thereby, but not to such a degree as to change happiness into misery, or <span class="accented">vice versa</span> ('Eth. Nicom.,' 1:10 and 11). <span class="cmt_word">Neither have they any more a reward</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> no fruit for labor done. There is no question here about future retribution in another world. The gloomy view of the writer at this moment precludes all idea of such an adjustment of anomalies after death. <span class="cmt_word">For the memory of them is forgotten.</span> They have not even the poor reward of being remembered by loving posterity, which in the mind of an Oriental was an eminent blessing, to be much desired. There is a paronomasia in <span class="accented">zeker</span>, "memory," and <span class="accented">sakar</span>, "reward," which, as Plumptre suggests, may be approximately represented in English by the words "record" and "reward." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the living</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽחַיִּ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹדְעִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wḏ·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that they will die,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיָּמֻ֑תוּ</span> <span class="translit">(še·yā·mu·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the dead</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמֵּתִ֞ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·mê·ṯîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹדְעִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wḏ·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְא֗וּמָה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ū·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> </span><span class="str2">A speck, point, nothing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They have no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵֽין־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">further</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֤וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reward,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂכָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(śā·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7939.htm">Strong's 7939: </a> </span><span class="str2">Payment of contract, salary, fare, maintenance, compensation, benefit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the memory</span><br /><span class="heb">זִכְרָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ziḵ·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2143.htm">Strong's 2143: </a> </span><span class="str2">A memento, recollection, commemoration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them is forgotten.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁכַּ֖ח</span> <span class="translit">(niš·kaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 9:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 9:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 9:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 9:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>