King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 9:2 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 9:2 in the King James Version says “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and ...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.”

Ecclesiastes 9:2 · KJV

Context

1

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. I considered: Heb. I gave, or, set to my heart

2

All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

3

This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Read Ecclesiastes 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked—the Hebrew 'miqreh echad' (מִקְרֶה אֶחָד, one event/happening) refers to death, the universal human fate transcending moral distinctions. The Preacher lists five contrasts: righteous/wicked, good/clean vs. unclean, sacrificers/non-sacrificers, good/sinner, oath-takers/oath-fearers. Despite these significant moral and ritual differences, all experience the same biological end.

As is the good, so is the sinner—this observation troubled ancient readers expecting strict retribution theology. 'Under the sun' (temporal perspective), death equalizes everyone regardless of character or conduct. This isn't denying eternal judgment (12:14) but honestly acknowledging that physical death comes to all. The verse drives readers toward resurrection hope: since earthly life ends identically for righteous and wicked, final justice requires post-mortem judgment and resurrection (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures wrestled with death's universality—Egyptian Book of the Dead, Mesopotamian Gilgamesh Epic, and Greek philosophy all addressed mortality's inevitability. Israel's early revelation about afterlife remained limited (shadowy Sheol), making death's universality particularly troubling. How could God's justice prevail if righteous and wicked share identical fates? Later biblical revelation progressively clarified: resurrection unto life or condemnation (Daniel 12:2), conscious existence after death (Luke 16:19-31), final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus's resurrection demonstrated God's power over death, ensuring believers' eventual resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The early church faced martyrdom confidently because physical death no longer represented final destiny—resurrection and eternal life awaited (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that death comes to everyone regardless of moral character affect your perspective on earthly success and righteousness?
  2. In what ways does resurrection hope transform death from final equalizer into temporary transition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
הַכֹּ֞ל1 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר2 of 20

“and to him that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַכֹּ֗ל3 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִקְרֶ֨ה4 of 20

“event”

H4745

something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune

אֶחָ֜ד5 of 20

“All things come alike to all there is one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַצַּדִּ֤יק6 of 20

“to the righteous”

H6662

just

וְלָרָשָׁע֙7 of 20

“and to the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

כַּטּוֹב֙8 of 20

“not as is the good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְלַטָּה֣וֹר9 of 20

“and to the clean”

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

וְלַטָּמֵ֔א10 of 20

“and to the unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

זֹבֵ֑חַ11 of 20

“sacrificeth”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר12 of 20

“and to him that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֵינֶ֣נּוּ13 of 20
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

זֹבֵ֑חַ14 of 20

“sacrificeth”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

כַּטּוֹב֙15 of 20

“not as is the good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כַּֽחֹטֶ֔א16 of 20

“so is the sinner”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

הַנִּשְׁבָּ֕ע17 of 20

“and he that sweareth”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר18 of 20

“and to him that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שְׁבוּעָ֥ה19 of 20

“an oath”

H7621

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

יָרֵֽא׃20 of 20
H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 9:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 9:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 3:18Ecclesiastes 2:14-16Malachi 3:5Psalms 73:3Job 9:22Malachi 3:15

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