Ecclesiastes 7:2

A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

LXX2012 (US English)

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

1What advantage has a man? for who knows what is good for a man in his life, during the number of the life of the days of his vanity? and he has spent them as a shadow; for who shall tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

3It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 7

Cross References

Genesis 49:2Assemble yourselves, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear me, sons of Jacob; hear Israel, hear your father.

Numbers 23:10Who has exactly calculated the seed of Jacob, and who shall number the families of Israel? let my soul die with the souls of the righteous, and let my seed be as their seed.

Deuteronomy 32:46And he said to them, Take heed with your heart to all these words, which I testify to you this day, which you⌃ shall command your sons, to observe and do all the words of this law.

Psalms 90:12+ 90:12 Matt 4:6 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. 1

Isaiah 5:11Woe to them that rise up in the morning, and follow strong drink; who wait at it till evening: for the wine shall inflame them.

Isaiah 47:7and said, I shall be a princess for ever: you did not perceive these things in your heart, nor did you remember the latter end.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 7:2