Ecclesiastes 7:1

What does Ecclesiastes 7:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 7:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Agoodname is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Agoodname is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A good name is better than oil of great price, and the day of death than the day of birth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Better <FI>is<Fi> a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Context

v.1This passage

v.2It 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 56:5

    Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:8

    we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

  • Philippians 1:21

    For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:1

    Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:2

    Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive;

  • Proverbs 15:30

    The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; Andgood tidings make the bones fat.

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