Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.
- KJV
- A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
- WEB
- A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.
- ASV
- A [good] name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one`s birth.
- DARBY
- A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
- BLB
- A good name [is finer] than good ointment, and the day of [one’s] death than the day he was born.
- ÅB
- Bedre er et godt navn enn god olje, og bedre dødsdagen enn den dag en blir født.
- OTB
- Et godt navn er mer ønskelig enn fin olje, og dødsdagen er bedre enn fødselsdagen.
- B1930
- Bedre er et godt navn enn god olje, og bedre dødsdagen enn den dag en blir født.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Read in contextProverbs 22:1
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 4:2
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Read in context2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Read in contextPhilippians 1:21–23
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Read in context2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Read in contextSong of Solomon 1:3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Read in contextProverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Read in context