Ecclesiastes 7 1

Ecclesiastes 7:1 kjv

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 nkjv

A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth;

Ecclesiastes 7:1 niv

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 esv

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 nlt

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.
And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 7 1 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 7:1 profoundly contrasts two pairs of values, asserting that the spiritual and the ultimate are superior to the material and the temporal. First, it states that a lasting good reputation or character is more valuable than costly perfume. Second, it presents the day of death as better than the day of one's birth, implying that the culmination of a well-lived life, or the state of rest and accountability, holds more significance than an uncertain beginning. It challenges a purely materialistic or short-sighted view of life, shifting focus from momentary pleasures to enduring legacy and the eternal perspective.

Ecclesiastes 7 1 Context

Ecclesiastes 7:1 introduces a new section in Koheleth's philosophical journey, shifting focus from the vexing paradoxes and seemingly futile aspects of life "under the sun" (as discussed in chapter 6) to a contemplation of the superiority of wisdom and enduring values. The preceding chapters have largely highlighted the vanity of chasing worldly success, pleasure, and wealth. This verse marks a turning point, providing specific, counter-intuitive examples of what truly holds lasting worth.

In the ancient Near East, a "name" was synonymous with one's character, reputation, and legacy. To have a good name meant one lived a life of integrity, righteousness, and honor, leaving a lasting mark. Precious ointment or perfume, while highly valued for its fragrance, ritualistic use (e.g., anointing kings, priests, or bodies for burial), or as a sign of wealth and luxury, was transient. Its fragrance would fade, and it would eventually be consumed.

The idea that the "day of death is better than the day of birth" challenged conventional ancient thought, which typically celebrated birth as the beginning of life and mourned death as an end. However, Koheleth presents it as the culmination of one's earthly journey—the point at which a person's life is complete, and their legacy, whether good or bad, is sealed. It's the "finish line" rather than just a tragic end, inviting reflection on how one lives and what enduring impact they make. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of true wisdom and its benefits over folly.

Ecclesiastes 7 1 Word analysis

• A good name (טוֹב שֵׁם - ṭōḇ shēm)

  • טוֹב (ṭōḇ): "Good," excellent, pleasant, righteous, ethical. Signifies intrinsic moral and honorable quality.
  • שֵׁם (shēm): "Name." In Hebrew thought, a name represented a person's entire character, reputation, essence, and what they stood for. It wasn't just a label but the summary of their life and legacy. The significance here is enduring character and moral legacy.

• is better (טוֹב - ṭōḇ)

  • טוֹב (ṭōḇ): Repeated from "good," reinforcing the superiority and preferable nature of the first element.

• than precious ointment (שֶׁמֶן טוֹב - shemen ṭōḇ)

  • שֶׁמֶן (shemen): "Oil," "ointment," "perfume." Used for anointing, cosmetic purposes, celebratory events, and embalming. It was a luxury item, signifying wealth, honor, and transient pleasure.
  • טוֹב (ṭōḇ): "Good," "fine." Describes the quality of the ointment, implying it's of the highest value within its category. The contrast lies in its fleeting nature versus the lasting nature of a good name. The wordplay between shēm ṭōḇ and shemen ṭōḇ emphasizes the choice between lasting legacy and transient pleasure.

• and the day of death (וְיוֹם הַמָּוֶת - wəyōm hammāwet)

  • וְיוֹם (wəyōm): "And the day of." Establishes a second parallel comparison.
  • הַמָּוֶת (hammāwet): "The death." This refers to the end of one's earthly life. It's not a morbid celebration but a recognition of life's conclusion where all deeds are weighed, and final rest is attained. For the righteous, it is often seen as a release from earthly toil and entrance into eternal peace.

• than the day of one's birth (מִיּוֹם הִוָּלְדוֹ - miyyōm hiwwāledō)

  • מִיּוֹם (miyyōm): "Than the day of."
  • הִוָּלְדוֹ (hiwwāledō): "His being born," "his birth." Represents the beginning of life, full of uncertainty, suffering, and potential vanity, as explored elsewhere in Ecclesiastes. It is a state of potentiality rather than completion.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "A good name is better than precious ointment": This contrasts intrinsic, moral character with material luxury and sensual pleasure. A good reputation built on righteous living lasts beyond life and blesses future generations, while the most expensive perfume eventually fades and vanishes. It highlights an eternal value over a temporal one.
  • "and the day of death than the day of one's birth": This is a profound paradox. Birth is celebrated as a new beginning, while death is usually mourned as an end. However, Koheleth implies that a well-lived life, culminating in a good death (entering into peace or God's presence for the righteous), is preferable to the uncertain and toil-filled beginning. Death is the completion, the final summing up, and for believers, a transition to glory, making it a "better" day in terms of ultimate purpose and rest.

Ecclesiastes 7 1 Bonus section

The profound wordplay between shem tov (good name) and shemen tov (good oil/ointment) is crucial. It highlights the direct contrast Koheleth wishes to make: the sh sound is consistent, but one speaks of essence (shem - name/reputation) and the other of external application (shemen - oil/fragrance). This deliberate literary device emphasizes the superficiality of one compared to the profundity of the other. The passage forces a shift in perspective from what is externally pleasing and temporary to what is intrinsically good and eternal. Furthermore, in Ecclesiastes, Koheleth often explores themes of "there is a time for everything," and here, he specifically assigns qualitative superiority to certain moments or aspects of life that are typically feared or overlooked in worldly pursuits. This verse lays a foundation for the wisdom found in chapter 7, guiding the reader towards seeking enduring spiritual wealth over fleeting worldly pleasures.

Ecclesiastes 7 1 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 7:1 offers a concise yet radical re-evaluation of life's true treasures, standing in stark contrast to prevailing worldly values. Koheleth, the wise preacher, does not negate the pleasantness of ointment or the joy of birth; rather, he asserts a divinely ordained hierarchy of value. A "good name" signifies more than social standing; it embodies a life lived with integrity, piety, and purpose, leaving an indelible moral footprint that endures beyond physical existence. This resonates deeply with the biblical emphasis on righteousness and character as a lasting heritage. In contrast, "precious ointment," while pleasant and desirable, represents the fleeting nature of material possessions and sensory delights—they are consumed and vanish, offering no enduring value.

The second part of the verse presents an even more startling proposition: the "day of death is better than the day of one's birth." This is not an endorsement of morbid despair but a profound theological statement. The day of birth marks a journey into an uncertain world, fraught with toil, sorrow, and vanity, as explored throughout Ecclesiastes. The day of death, for the righteous, signifies the culmination of one's labor, the end of suffering, and the ultimate entrance into a state of rest and accountability before God. For the believer, death is a gateway to the Lord's presence, the realization of hope, and the ultimate victory over the limitations and sorrows of "under the sun." It's the moment when a person's life narrative is complete and judged according to its contents. Thus, death becomes a preferable landmark not as a negation of life, but as life's completed masterpiece or its transition into ultimate fulfillment in God's eternal plan.

• Practical Examples:
  • Prioritizing character development (honesty, kindness) over acquiring expensive goods.
  • Focusing on building a legacy of service and faith that impacts others positively.
  • Viewing old age and the eventual end of life not with dread, but as a hopeful culmination for a life lived faithfully.