BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ecclesiastes› Chapter 9› Verse 6

Ecclesiastes 9:6

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 9:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3This is an evil in all that is 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.
4For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5For 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.
6As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.
7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
8Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun.
← Ecclesiastes 9:5Ecclesiastes 9:7 →
← Full Chapter 9 Ecclesiastes Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished, etc.] Not that the separate spirits of the dead are without their affections, or these unexercised; the spirits of just men made perfect will love God and Christ, and angels, and good men, and all that is good, more intensely; love will continue after this life, and be in its height, and therefore said to be the greatest grace, (<461313>1 Corinthians 13:13); they will hate sin, Satan, and all the enemies of Christ, and be filled with zeal for his glory; so the wordf220 for envy may be rendered; (see <660609>Revelation 6:9,10); and the spirits of the wicked dead will still continue to love sin, and hate the Lord, and envy the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“love, and . . . hatred, &c.--(referring to Ecc 9:1; see on Ecc 9:1). Not that these cease in a future world absolutely (Eze 32:27; Rev 22:11); but as the end of this verse shows, relatively to persons and things in this world. Man's love and hatred can no longer be exercised for good or evil in the same way as here; but the fruits of them remain. What he is at death he remains for ever. "Envy," too, marks the wicked as referred to, since it was therewith that they assailed the righteous (see on Ecc 9:1). portion--Their "portion" was "in this life" (Psa 17:14), that they now "cannot have any more."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See Ecclesiastes 8:12, note; Ecclesiastes 8:14, note. The living are conscious that there is a future before them: but the dead are unconscious; they earn nothing, receive nothing, even the memory of them soon disappears; they are no longer excited by the passions which belong to people in this life; their share in its activity has ceased. Solomon here describes what he sees, not what he believes; there is no reference here to the fact or the mode of the existence of the soul in another world, which are matters of faith. The last clause of Ecclesiastes 9:6 indicates that the writer confines his observations on the dead to their portion in, or relation to, this world. Ecclesiastes 9:6 Now -…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Also - They neither love, nor hate, nor envy any thing in this world, but are unconcerned in what is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their love: Exo 1:8; Job 3:17, Job 3:18; Psa 146:3, Psa 146:4; Pro 10:28; Mat 2:20 have they: Ecc 2:18-23, Ecc 6:12 Ecclesiastes 9:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ecclesiastes 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification