King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 9:5 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 9:5 in the King James Version says “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the m...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ecclesiastes 9:5 · KJV

Context

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.

5

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.

6

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

7

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the living know that they shall die (כִּי הַחַיִּים יוֹדְעִים שֶׁיָּמֻתוּ)—the certainty of death is the one piece of knowledge all conscious humans share. In stark contrast, the dead know not any thing (הַמֵּתִים אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים מְאוּמָה)—those in Sheol, the shadowy realm of the departed, have no consciousness of earthly affairs. The phrase neither have they any more a reward (אֵין־עוֹד לָהֶם שָׂכָר) doesn't deny eternal reward but earthly recompense—the dead cannot earn wages, receive honor, or accumulate wealth "under the sun."

The finality is devastating: for the memory of them is forgotten (כִּי נִשְׁכַּח זִכְרָם). The Hebrew zecher (זֵכֶר, remembrance) emphasizes how quickly human memory fades—even the famous become obscure with time. From an "under the sun" perspective, death eliminates advantage, consciousness, and legacy. This grim realism drives the Preacher's urgent exhortation to enjoy life as God's gift while alive (9:7-9). The New Testament transforms this despair: Christ's resurrection defeats death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57), and believers who die in Christ are not unconscious but with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Old Testament theology developed gradually regarding the afterlife. Early texts portrayed Sheol as a shadowy existence of all the dead—righteous and wicked alike descended there (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13). This isn't soul sleep or annihilation but a conscious yet diminished state without the vibrant life of embodied existence. Only late OT texts like Daniel 12:2 clearly teach bodily resurrection. Ecclesiastes, written from "under the sun" perspective (earthly viewpoint without full revelation), reflects early understanding: death ends earthly consciousness and participation. The Preacher writes phenomenologically—describing observed reality rather than revealing heavenly mysteries. Jesus later pulled back the veil: the dead are conscious (Luke 16:19-31), and resurrection awaits (John 5:28-29). The Reformers emphasized that OT saints were saved by faith in God's promises, though they lacked full clarity about resurrection that Christ would bring.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of death affect your priorities, and are you living as if you have unlimited time or with sober awareness of life's brevity?
  2. What legacy are you building that will outlast human memory—eternal investment rather than earthly monuments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֧י1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַֽחַיִּ֛ים2 of 15

“For the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יוֹדְעִ֣ים3 of 15

“know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְהַמֵּתִ֞ים4 of 15

“but the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְהַמֵּתִ֞ים5 of 15

“but the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֵינָ֧ם6 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹדְעִ֣ים7 of 15

“know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מְא֗וּמָה8 of 15

“not any thing”

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

וְאֵֽין9 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ע֤וֹד10 of 15
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לָהֶם֙11 of 15
H0
שָׂכָ֔ר12 of 15

“neither have they any more a reward”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

כִּ֥י13 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִשְׁכַּ֖ח14 of 15

“of them is forgotten”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

זִכְרָֽם׃15 of 15

“for the memory”

H2143

a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration

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 9:5 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 9:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:14Ecclesiastes 1:11Psalms 6:5Psalms 88:10-12Job 14:21Hebrews 9:27

Test Your Knowledge

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