Ecclesiastes 9 5

Ecclesiastes 9:5 kjv

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 nkjv

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 niv

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 esv

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 nlt

The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.

Ecclesiastes 9 verses

Ecclesiastes 9 5 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 9:5 presents a stark observation about human mortality. The living, unlike the dead, are aware of their inevitable demise, which serves as a crucial distinction. It asserts that after death, individuals no longer possess knowledge of earthly affairs or receive further earthly reward for their past toils. Furthermore, it highlights the transient nature of human remembrance, stating that the memory of the dead often fades and is eventually forgotten by the living. This verse underscores the finite scope of human activity and significance in the earthly realm.

Ecclesiastes 9 5 Context

Ecclesiastes 9:5 falls within a broader discourse (9:1-10) where Qoheleth, the Preacher, explores the universal decree of death for all humanity, regardless of their moral standing or wisdom. He observes that all living things share a common destiny: to die. This verse immediately follows his assertion that the righteous, wise, and their deeds are in God's hand, yet love and hate for them may lie ahead, suggesting unpredictability in earthly life. Qoheleth’s primary philosophical lens throughout the book is an "under the sun" perspective, meaning he examines life from a purely human, temporal, and often pessimistic viewpoint, frequently highlighting the hebel (vanity, futility, meaninglessness) of striving apart from a full understanding of God’s ultimate purposes. Historically, in the ancient Near East, precise, detailed understanding of an individual conscious afterlife as understood in later revelation was limited, with general beliefs often revolving around a shadowy, communal existence in Sheol. Qoheleth's observations in this verse challenge human pride in legacy and achievement, suggesting these have limited value within this transient earthly existence.

Ecclesiastes 9 5 Word analysis

• For the living (כִּי הַחַיִּים, ki haḥayyim): The Hebrew particle ki introduces a reason or explanation. Haḥayyim ("the living") refers to all humans currently in physical existence, contrasting with hammetim ("the dead"). This immediately establishes the central comparison of the verse.
• know (יוֹדְעִים, yode'im): This signifies an intellectual awareness and certainty. The living have a unique and profound consciousness of their own mortality. This self-awareness distinguishes them from the dead who are presented as lacking such understanding in the earthly realm.
• that they will die (שֶׁיָּמֻתוּ, sheyamutu): Emphasizes the inevitability and certainty of death for every individual. This truth is a cornerstone of Qoheleth’s philosophy, serving as the ultimate leveller of all earthly distinctions.
• but the dead (וְהַמֵּתִים, v'hammetim): Refers to those who have physically passed away. The conjunction ve ("but" or "and") introduces a stark contrast with "the living."
• know nothing (אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים מְאוּמָה, einam yode'im meumah): This is a crucial phrase. Einam yode'im literally means "they do not know." Meumah means "anything." From Qoheleth's "under the sun" perspective, the dead are presented as having no knowledge, awareness, or perception of the events, conditions, or affairs occurring in the world of the living. This refers to an earthly consciousness, not necessarily the annihilation of the soul.
• and they have no more reward (וְאֵין עוֹד לָהֶם שָׂכָר, v'ein 'od lahem sakhar): Ein 'od lahem means "there is no longer for them." Sakhar (שָׂכָר) means reward, wages, or profit. This refers to the cessation of receiving any benefit, gain, or recompense that is earned in this earthly life. Their labors on earth conclude, and the fruit of those labors cannot be enjoyed by them post-mortem. It's about worldly benefit, not ultimate spiritual recompense which is understood more fully in later biblical revelation.
• for the memory of them is forgotten (כִּי נִשְׁכַּח זִכְרָם, ki nishkaḥ zikhram): Ki introduces the reason for the lack of knowledge or reward—because they are forgotten. Nishkaḥ ("is forgotten") is a passive verb, signifying that human memory is fallible and eventually ceases to recall individuals. Zikhram ("their memory" or "remembrance of them") refers to the legacy or recognition a person leaves behind. This points to the transient nature of human renown and how quickly people fade from the collective consciousness, emphasizing the ultimate futility of striving for worldly glory.

Ecclesiastes 9 5 Bonus section

The seemingly pessimistic observations in Ecclesiastes 9:5 should not be read in isolation, nor as the final word on human destiny. Within the broader theological landscape of the Bible, this verse highlights the radical shift in understanding that occurs with further divine revelation. While Qoheleth emphasizes the physical and earthly finality and disconnection that death brings, the New Testament introduces profound clarifications:

1. Conscious Afterlife: Jesus' parables (e.g., Lazarus and the rich man, Lk 16) and apostolic teachings (e.g., Paul's desire to "depart and be with Christ," Php 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8) explicitly demonstrate a conscious existence for the departed soul immediately after death, awaiting resurrection.
2. Eternal Reward and Remembrance: The concept of "no more reward" for the dead is overturned by the promise that "their deeds follow them" (Rev 14:13) and that faithful service is eternally recognized and rewarded by God (Mt 6:19-21, 2 Tim 4:7-8). This "reward" transcends earthly compensation.
3. God's Remembrance: While human memory fades, God’s remembrance of His saints is eternal. Names are written in the Book of Life, and those who die in the Lord are eternally "blessed."

Therefore, Ecclesiastes 9:5 serves as a potent challenge to an earth-bound existence, compelling the reader to look beyond temporal horizons. It vividly paints the futility of seeking meaning solely "under the sun," preparing the heart for the later revelation of eternal significance and divine justice. It implicitly nudges one towards seeking lasting value in God, where true knowledge, reward, and remembrance ultimately reside.

Ecclesiastes 9 5 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:5 offers a deeply sobering insight into the human condition from Qoheleth’s earthly vantage point. It presents death as the great equalizer, reducing all to the same state of apparent ignorance and inactivity in relation to this world. The core message highlights the transient nature of life, labor, and legacy "under the sun."

The declaration that "the dead know nothing" primarily speaks to their severance from active participation and awareness of earthly affairs. This is not a theological statement on the absolute unconsciousness of the soul after death in the biblical canon as a whole, but rather Qoheleth's observation of the dead's detachment from the world they once inhabited. Their plans, interactions, and knowledge of the living world cease.

Correspondingly, the phrase "they have no more reward" pertains to earthly gains. There are no more wages to be earned, no more earthly pleasures to be enjoyed, no more achievements to be recognized within the temporal realm. This is a call to recognize the limited duration for which earthly toil yields personal benefits.

Finally, "the memory of them is forgotten" underscores the often-fleeting nature of human remembrance. While some figures may be remembered for generations, the vast majority fade into obscurity. This stark reality drives Qoheleth's recurrent theme of hebel, challenging humanity's inherent desire for lasting significance purely through human effort. The implication is clear: if life and all its pursuits lead to such a cessation, then how ought the living to approach their days? This provides the groundwork for Qoheleth's eventual conclusion: to "fear God and keep his commandments" (Ecc 12:13), acknowledging that God’s judgment is the ultimate arbiter of lasting value, distinct from ephemeral earthly remembrance or reward.

Examples: A grand empire-builder who once commanded millions becomes a footnote in history books, unknown to the current generation; a renowned philosopher whose intricate arguments were once widely debated is rarely quoted; an artisan whose creations filled the homes of nobles finds their craftsmanship forgotten centuries later. In all these, the earthly knowledge, reward, and memory, as defined in the verse, have ceased.