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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the living {H2416} know {H3045} that they shall die {H4191}: but the dead {H4191} know {H3045} not any thing {H3972}, neither have they any more a reward {H7939}; for the memory {H2143} of them is forgotten {H7911}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; there is no longer any reward for them, because all memory of them is lost.

Berean Standard Bible

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.

American Standard Version

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 9:5 offers a stark and pragmatic observation on human mortality, characteristic of the Preacher's "under the sun" perspective. It asserts the universal truth that all living beings are aware of their inevitable death, contrasting this with the complete cessation of earthly knowledge, activity, and reward for the deceased. The verse further emphasizes the transient nature of human legacy, concluding that the memory of the dead ultimately fades into oblivion. This passage encapsulates the Preacher's focus on the observable realities of life and death, setting the stage for his broader reflections on the meaning and purpose of human existence in a fallen world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 9-12) where Koheleth, the Preacher, confronts the common fate of all humanity: death. Having extensively explored the futility and "vanity" (Hebrew: *hebel*) of worldly pursuits and wisdom [under the sun](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities"), he now turns his attention to the great equalizer. The preceding verses, particularly [Ecclesiastes 9:2](/ecclesiastes/9-2 "Ecclesiastes 9:2 - One Fate for All"), establish that the same end awaits both the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. This immediate context underscores the Preacher's consistent theme: despite life's varied experiences, death levels all distinctions, bringing an end to earthly endeavors and perceptions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ecclesiastes is a work of wisdom literature, reflecting the intellectual and spiritual struggles of an ancient Israelite sage. While ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, held varying beliefs about an afterlife (often a shadowy existence in Sheol), Koheleth's primary focus in this book is on observable life and death within the temporal realm. His perspective is grounded in the empirical reality of human experience, rather than a detailed theological exposition of the afterlife. The "under the sun" motif is crucial here, indicating a limited human perspective that does not fully account for divine revelation or ultimate eschatological hope. This emphasis on the finite nature of earthly existence was a common theme in ancient wisdom traditions, prompting reflection on how to live meaningfully in light of inevitable mortality.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 9:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it reinforces the **certainty of death** as an inescapable reality for all humanity, a truth that shapes all other earthly pursuits. Secondly, it highlights the **limitations of human knowledge and activity**; from an earthly perspective, death signifies a complete cessation of engagement with the world of the living, including any further "reward" or recompense for labor. This aligns with Koheleth's exploration of the futility of striving for lasting earthly legacy, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 1:11](/ecclesiastes/1-11 "Ecclesiastes 1:11 - No Remembrance of Former Things"). Finally, the verse underscores the **transience of human memory and legacy**, suggesting that even the most significant lives eventually fade from collective remembrance, further emphasizing the *hebel* (vanity/vapor) of life's endeavors when viewed solely from an earthly vantage point.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Living (Hebrew, _chay'_):** This term (H2416) refers to anything "alive," encompassing not just human life but also raw flesh, fresh plants, or even a running stream. In this context, it specifically denotes those who possess biological life, distinguishing them from the deceased. The "living" are characterized by their consciousness and capacity for experience and knowledge, particularly the grim knowledge of their own impending death.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** The verb "know" (H3045) is a primitive root with a broad semantic range, meaning "to ascertain by seeing," but also extending to understanding, recognizing, being aware, and even having intimate acquaintance. Here, it signifies a conscious awareness and intellectual comprehension. The living *know* their mortality not merely as a fact but as an experiential certainty, distinguishing their state from the unconsciousness attributed to the dead.
* **Memory (Hebrew, _zêker'_):** This noun (H2143) derives from the root "to remember" and refers to a memento, recollection, or commemoration. It speaks to the remembrance or legacy of a person after their death. The verse's assertion that the "memory of them is forgotten" highlights the Preacher's somber observation that even the most impactful lives eventually fade from human recollection, reinforcing the fleeting nature of earthly renown and the ultimate *hebel* of human striving for lasting fame.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the living know that they shall die:"** This opening clause presents a fundamental, undeniable truth. It asserts that consciousness of mortality is a defining characteristic of being alive. Unlike animals, humans possess the unique, often burdensome, awareness of their finite existence and inevitable end. This knowledge shapes human experience and decision-making.
* **"but the dead know not any thing,"** This stark statement contrasts the living with the dead, emphasizing a complete cessation of earthly knowledge, perception, or awareness for those who have passed away. From Koheleth's "under the sun" perspective, death marks an end to all conscious interaction with the temporal world. It does not necessarily deny a spiritual existence beyond death, but rather highlights the termination of earthly faculties and engagement.
* **"neither have they any more a reward;"** Following the previous clause, this phrase indicates that with death comes the end of any earthly recompense, wages, or benefits derived from human labor and achievement. All earthly pursuits and their associated outcomes, whether positive or negative, cease to have meaning or impact for the deceased. This reinforces the Preacher's point about the ultimate futility of striving for material gain or worldly recognition.
* **"for the memory of them is forgotten."** This final clause provides the reason or explanation for the preceding statements. The fading of memory underscores the impermanence of human legacy. While some may be remembered for a time, ultimately, even the greatest deeds and individuals fade from collective human memory. This reinforces the theme of life's transient nature and the ultimate *hebel* (vapor/vanity) of seeking lasting significance in purely earthly terms.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 9:5 employs several literary devices to convey its somber message. **Juxtaposition** is central, sharply contrasting "the living" with "the dead" to highlight their fundamentally different states of being, knowledge, and potential. The phrase "know that they shall die" versus "know not any thing" exemplifies this stark opposition. The overall tone is one of profound **Realism**, as the Preacher unflinchingly presents the observable facts of mortality without sentimentalism or evasion. This contributes to the **Melancholy Tone** that pervades much of Ecclesiastes, reflecting a sober assessment of life's limitations. Furthermore, the verse uses **Emphasis through Repetition** of the concept of "knowing," first affirming the living's knowledge of death, then denying any knowledge to the dead, underscoring the profound difference death makes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 9:5, while seemingly bleak, serves a crucial theological purpose within the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully articulates the reality of human finitude and the pervasive impact of sin, which introduced death into creation. From an "under the sun" perspective, the verse highlights the limitations of human existence and the vanity of seeking ultimate meaning or lasting reward solely in earthly endeavors. It implicitly points to the necessity of a divine intervention and a hope that transcends the observable realities of decay and forgetfulness. This stark portrayal of mortality underscores the fragility of life and the ultimate inability of human wisdom or achievement to overcome the finality of death, thus preparing the reader for the Preacher's eventual conclusion that true meaning is found in fearing God and keeping His commandments.

* [Psalm 146:4](/psalms/146-4 "Psalm 146:4 - Man's Breath Departs")
* [Job 14:10](/job/14-10 "Job 14:10 - Man Dies and Wastes Away")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed for Man to Die Once")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 9:5, though confronting us with the uncomfortable truth of our mortality, is not intended to foster despair but rather to provoke profound reflection and wise living. If our earthly existence is finite, and our memory ultimately fades, then what truly matters? This verse compels us to re-evaluate our priorities, shifting our focus from the accumulation of fleeting earthly rewards to the pursuit of eternal values. It serves as a powerful impetus to live with intentionality and urgency, making the most of the precious time we have been given. Instead of clinging to the illusion of control or permanence, we are called to embrace the present, find joy in simple blessings, and invest in relationships and pursuits that transcend the grave. The Preacher's wisdom, though grounded in earthly observation, implicitly nudges us toward a pursuit of God, who alone offers enduring meaning and hope beyond the reach of death and forgetfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the awareness of your own mortality (as "the living know that they shall die") shape your daily choices and long-term aspirations?**
* **In what ways might the Preacher's observation that "the dead know not any thing" challenge or affirm your understanding of life and death from a purely earthly perspective?**
* **If earthly "reward" and "memory" are ultimately forgotten, what enduring legacy do you desire to leave, and how does your faith inform this?**
* **How can the sobering truth of Ecclesiastes 9:5 motivate you to live more fully, purposefully, and in alignment with God's will today?**

### FAQ
**Does Ecclesiastes 9:5 deny the existence of an afterlife or the soul?**

Answer: No, Ecclesiastes 9:5 does not explicitly deny the existence of an afterlife or the soul, but rather focuses on the observable, empirical reality of death from an "under the sun" perspective. The Preacher's primary concern throughout the book is to analyze life as it is experienced in the temporal world, without full access to divine revelation concerning the spiritual realm beyond death. When it states "the dead know not any thing," it refers to their cessation of activity, knowledge, and reward *in relation to the earthly realm*. This perspective is consistent with ancient Israelite understanding of Sheol as a shadowy realm where the dead are cut off from the land of the living and its activities (cf. [Psalm 6:5](/psalms/6-5 "Psalm 6:5 - In Death There Is No Remembrance")). It is a statement about the end of earthly consciousness and engagement, not necessarily a comprehensive theological treatise on the state of the soul after death. The book's ultimate conclusion in [Ecclesiastes 12:7](/ecclesiastes/12-7 "Ecclesiastes 12:7 - The Spirit Returns to God") suggests a separation of body and spirit, with the spirit returning to God.

**What kind of "reward" is being referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "reward" (Hebrew: *sâkâr*, H7939) mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:5 refers to earthly recompense, wages, or benefits that accrue from human labor, striving, or achievement. It signifies the tangible or intangible returns one receives from their efforts in this life. The Preacher's point is that all such earthly "rewards"—whether wealth, fame, pleasure, or the satisfaction of accomplishment—cease to be relevant or accessible to the individual once they die. Death brings an absolute end to the acquisition and enjoyment of these earthly benefits, reinforcing the *hebel* (vanity/vapor) of pursuing them as ultimate ends. This aligns with Koheleth's broader argument that all earthly endeavors are fleeting and ultimately unable to provide lasting satisfaction or meaning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ecclesiastes 9:5 presents a stark and sobering reality of death from an "under the sun" perspective, it implicitly sets the stage for the profound hope found in Christ. The Preacher's lament that "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" perfectly encapsulates the human dilemma apart from divine intervention. This grim assessment of mortality and the fading of human legacy highlights the very problem that the Gospel addresses. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, conquered the power of death and the grave, transforming the seemingly final word of Ecclesiastes into a prelude to eternal life. He is the one who declares, "[I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")," offering a knowledge and a reward that transcend earthly limitations. In Christ, the "memory" of believers is not forgotten but eternally secured in God's presence, and our "reward" is an imperishable inheritance, unlike the fleeting earthly recompense. The New Testament consistently portrays Christ as the ultimate answer to the vanity of life under the sun, providing true meaning, lasting hope, and victory over the very death that so preoccupies the Preacher (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Frees from Fear of Death")). He transforms the end of earthly knowledge into the beginning of eternal knowledge of God, and the cessation of earthly reward into the promise of everlasting glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 26:14

[They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

Ecclesiastes 1:11

[There is] no remembrance of former [things]; neither shall there be [any] remembrance of [things] that are to come with [those] that shall come after.

Psalms 6:5

For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Psalms 88:10

¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

Psalms 88:12

Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Job 14:21

His sons come to honour, and he knoweth [it] not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth [it] not of them.