Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
Let thy garments {H899} be always {H6256} white {H3836}; and let thy head {H7218} lack {H2637} no ointment {H8081}.
Let your clothing always be white, and never fail to perfume your head.
Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.
Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
Cross-References
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Revelation 3:4 (8 votes)
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. -
Revelation 3:5 (8 votes)
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. -
Revelation 19:14 (8 votes)
And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. -
Revelation 7:13 (7 votes)
ยถ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? -
Revelation 7:14 (7 votes)
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. -
Revelation 19:8 (7 votes)
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. -
Revelation 7:9 (6 votes)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Commentary
Ecclesiastes 9:8 (KJV) offers a practical, albeit somewhat paradoxical, piece of advice from the Preacher (Qoheleth) on how to live in light of life's uncertainties and the inevitability of death. This verse encourages a mindset of joy and appreciation for the present blessings.
Context
This verse is part of a larger section in Ecclesiastes (9:7-10) where the author pivots from reflections on the universal fate of death to an exhortation to embrace and enjoy the simple pleasures of life while one can. Following discussions on the vanity of human endeavors and the common end for all, the Preacher concludes that since no one knows what lies beyond death, it is wise to make the most of the present earthly life given by God. Itโs a call to live with a positive and celebratory spirit, rather than succumbing to despair over life's fleeting nature. This perspective contrasts with the deeper theological insights found in other biblical books but represents a specific wisdom tradition within Israel.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Ecclesiastes 9:8 encourages believers today to live purposefully and joyfully, embracing the present moment as a gift from God. It's a reminder to:
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.