Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to a house where people are mourning about someone who has died than to go to a house where people are feasting, because everyone will die some day, and people who are alive should think seriously [IDM] about that.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

1Having a good reputation [MTY] is better than fine perfume, and the day that we die is better than the day that we are born.

3It is better to be sad than to be always laughing, because being sad can cause us to think more about how we should conduct our lives [IDM].

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Cross References

Genesis 49:2“Gather around me in order that I can tell you what will happen in the future. My sons, come and listen to me. I am your father, Jacob, whom God named Israel.

Numbers 23:10◄Who can count the descendants of Jacob; they are as numerous as particles of <dust/dirt>?/No one can count the descendants of Jacob; they are as numerous as particles of <dust/dirt>!► [RHQ] ◄Who can count even a quarter of the Israeli people?/No one can count even a quarter of the Israeli people!► [RHQ] I wish/hope that I will die like righteous people die; I hope that I will die peacefully like they will die.”

Deuteronomy 32:46Moses/I said, “Never forget all these commands that I have been giving you today. Teach these laws to your children, in order that they will faithfully obey all of them.

Psalms 90:12So teach/help us to realize that we live for only a short time in order that we may use our time wisely.

Isaiah 5:11Terrible things will happen to those who get up early each morning to begin drinking alcoholic drinks, and who stay awake until late at night drinking a lot of wine until they are completely drunk.

Isaiah 47:7You said, ‘We will rule other nations forever; it is as though our city will be the queen of the world forever!’ But you did not think about the things that you were doing, or think about what would result.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:2-7

The Value of a Good Name. 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. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of… Read the whole commentary →

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