Ecclesiastes 9 9

Ecclesiastes 9:9 kjv

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 nkjv

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 niv

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun?all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 esv

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 nlt

Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.

Ecclesiastes 9 verses

Ecclesiastes 9 9 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 9:9 exhorts individuals to embrace and appreciate the present earthly joys, specifically within the loving bond of marriage. It commands us to find contentment and delight in the brief span of life God has granted, recognizing these blessings as His designated "portion" or "reward" amidst the transient and laborious existence "under the sun." This perspective encourages intentional enjoyment of simple, tangible gifts from God despite life's pervasive uncertainties and struggles.

Ecclesiastes 9 9 Context

Ecclesiastes 9:9 stands within the Preacher's discourse on finding meaning in a world observed "under the sun"—a world marked by futility and unpredictability from a purely human perspective. Chapter 9 itself emphasizes the shared human destiny of death for all, regardless of wisdom or righteousness (v. 1-3). It contrasts the certain doom of death with the value of being alive, however transient (v. 4-6). Against this sobering backdrop, the Preacher pivots, offering practical counsel on how to live well in the here and now, particularly from verse 7 onwards. The counsel is to seize joy, eat, drink, and find satisfaction in work. Verse 9 is a specific, profound application of this general exhortation, centering the joy on a loving marital relationship, presenting it as a direct gift from God despite life's inherent "vanity" and toil.

Ecclesiastes 9 9 Word analysis

• Enjoy (רְאֵה - ra'ah): Lit. "see" or "perceive." In this imperative, it carries the sense of actively experiencing, taking delight in, or wisely observing life's blessings. It's not a passive reception but an active appreciation.
• life (חַיִּים - chayyim): Refers to physical existence, the temporal journey.
• with the wife (אִשָּׁה - 'ishshah): Clearly specifies a particular, intimate human relationship—the spousal bond. The wisdom is directed towards domestic happiness.
• whom you love (אֲשֶׁר אָהַבְתָּ - asher ahavta): Emphasizes that this enjoyment is deeply rooted in affectionate, chosen love within marriage, not just any matrimonial arrangement. It points to a deep, personal connection.
• all the days (כָּל יְמֵי - kol yemei): Signifies a consistent, lifelong commitment to cherishing this relationship and its joy.
• of your fleeting life (חַיֵּי הֶבְלֶךָ - chayyei hevelk'a): Translates to "the days of your life of vanity/vapor/breath." The word "hevel" (vanity) is central to Ecclesiastes, highlighting life's transience, inscrutability, and impermanence when viewed solely from an earthly perspective.
• which He has given to you (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לְךָ - asher natan lekha): Crucially underscores divine sovereignty. Life itself, along with the blessings within it, are God-given gifts, not self-generated or earned. This elevates the perceived "vanity" into a divine allocation.
• under the sun (תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ - tachat ha'shemesh): The Preacher's defining phrase, denoting earthly existence and human experience, limited to what can be observed and understood within the temporal realm.
• for this is your reward (כִּי הָרֹון - ki ha'ron): More accurately rendered as "for this is your portion" or "lot." It signifies something apportioned or allotted by divine providence, an inherent benefit that comes with life itself, rather than a merit-based prize.
• in life (בַּחַיִּים - bachayyim): Pertains to the entirety of one's existence.
• and in your toil (וּבַעֲמָלְךָ - uva'amal'k'a): "Amal" refers to labor, trouble, burdensome work—the pervasive human effort. The joy is found within, not apart from, this labor.
• in which you have toiled (אֲשֶׁר עָמַלְתָּ - asher amalta): Reinforces the reality of exerted effort and hardship inherent in human existence.
• Word-groups analysis:
  • "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love": A clear imperative to find delight in an intimate, chosen human relationship. This is a specific instance of "living well."
  • "all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun": Connects the daily act of enjoyment with the brevity of life and divine origination. It sets the scene within the earthly, God-given yet transient existence.
  • "for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have toiled under the sun": Defines this specified enjoyment (with one's beloved spouse) as the primary, divinely appointed good and intrinsic benefit available within the struggle and hard work of earthly life.

Ecclesiastes 9 9 Bonus section

• Paradox of Hevel: The verse elegantly navigates the paradox of "hevel" (vanity/futility). While life is undeniably fleeting and mysterious "under the sun," God still bestows concrete, valuable blessings (like a loving spouse) within this transient existence, which are meant to be embraced and enjoyed as gifts.
• Intentionality: "Enjoy life" (ra'ah) is an active command, demanding an intentional posture of gratitude and engagement with present circumstances rather than a passive experience or a longing for something elusive.
• Counter-cultural wisdom: In a world often valuing material wealth, power, or external achievements, this verse reorients success towards internal peace and relational intimacy found in simple, domestic blessings.
• Human Need for Connection: The specific mention of "the wife whom you love" highlights the profound human need for deep, affectionate companionship and confirms marriage as a legitimate sphere of divine blessing and earthly happiness.
• Focus on the Present: Coming after musings on death, this verse intensely focuses on the vital importance of making the most of the present moment, for it is the only certainty granted by God before the unknown of eternity.

Ecclesiastes 9 9 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:9 presents a robust challenge to cynicism and despair often associated with the "under the sun" perspective. While life's transience ("hevel") and unavoidable toil are acknowledged, the Preacher directs individuals to actively appreciate the God-given blessings within this reality. The loving marital relationship is singled out as a paramount source of joy and the very "portion" of a life. It is not an escapist call to hedonism, but a divinely-ordained invitation to find satisfaction and meaning in the present, embodied experiences, particularly intimate companionship. This enjoyment is presented as the direct result and purpose of one's very existence and efforts. It implicitly validates earthly relationships as sacred spaces where God's common grace is manifest, grounding satisfaction in the here and now. This wisdom provides practical guidance for living prudently and contentedly amidst the complexities of a fallen world.