Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Ecclesiastes 9:5
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Browse this work.
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Ecclesiastes9:5
5. know that they shall die--and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ec 7:1-4; Psa 90:12).
dead know not anything--that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Is 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 (Ec 2:18-22; 4:9).
memory--not of the righteous (Psa 112:6; Mal 3:16), but the wicked, who with all the pains to perpetuate their names (Psa 49:11) are soon "forgotten" (Ec 8:10).
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:5. Public domain.
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