Ecclesiastes 9:6

Verse

Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

Their love and their hate and their envy are now ended; and they have no longer a part for ever in anything which is done under the sun.

Free Bible Version

Their love, hate, and envy—it's all gone. They have no further part in anything that happens here on earth.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

While they were alive, they loved some people, they hated some people, they envied some people, but that all ends when they die. They will never again be a part of anything that happens here on the earth.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Their love, hatred, and envy have vanished long ago. They will never have a place again in anything done under the sun.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither do they any longer have a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.

Young's Literal Translation

Their love also, their hatred also, their envy also, hath already perished, and they have no more a portion to the age in all that hath been done under the sun.

Context

Death Comes to Good and Bad

⁵For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.⁶Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.

Summary

This verse reflects the reality of life and death, stating that both the living and the dead eventually fade from memory. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death for all, regardless of one's accomplishments or status. The message encourages humility and a recognition of the brevity of life, prompting a focus on living purposefully and making the most of each day. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of seeking meaning and fulfillment beyond earthly pursuits, pointing towards the eternal significance of a life lived in relationship with God.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible 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."

John Gill Bible Commentary

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished,.... 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, Co1 13:13; they will hate sin, Satan, and all the enemies of Christ, and be filled with zeal for his glory; so the word (z) for envy may be rendered; see Rev 6:9; and the spirits of the wicked dead will still continue to love sin, and hate the Lord, and envy the happiness of the saints; and will rise again with the same spite and malice against them; see Eze 32:27; but this respects persons and things in this world; they no more love persons and things here, nor are loved by any; death parts the best friends, and the most endearing and loving relations, and puts an end to all their mutual friendship and affection; they hate their enemies no more, nor are hated by them; they no more envy the prosperity of others, nor are envied by others; all such kind of love and hatred, enmity and envy, active or passive, cease at death; out of the world, as the Targum adds; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is under the sun: the worldly man's portion is only in this life, and when he dies, he carries nothing of it with him; whose ever his possessions will be at death, they are no more his, nor will he ever return to enjoy them any more; his houses, his lands, his estates, his gold and silver, and whatever of worth and value he had, he has no more lot and part in them: but the good man has a portion above the sun; God is his portion, heaven is his inheritance for ever and ever. The Targum understands it of the wicked; "and they have no good part with the righteous in the world to come; and they have no profit of all that is done in this world under the sun.'' (z) "aemulatio ipsorum", Cocceius, Gejerus; "aelus eorum", Drusius, Amana, Rambachius.