Ecclesiastes 9:8

8 Let your clothing always be white, and never fail to perfume your head.

Ecclesiastes 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let thy garments be always white
That is, neat and clean, not vile and sordid; what is comely and decent, and suitable to a man's circumstances; this colour is particularly mentioned because much used in the eastern countries, and in Judea; hence we so often read of washing garments, and of fullers that whitened them; and especially on festival days and days of rejoicing, to which Horace ^F1 refers; and here it signifies that every day should be like a festival or day of rejoicing to a good man, to whom God has given the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, ( Isaiah 61:3 ) ; and though there may be times for mourning, and so of putting on other apparel, yet, in common and ordinarily, this should be the habit, decent and comely apparel. The ancient Jews in Aben Ezra, and so Jarchi, interpret it of an unblemished conversation; and Kimchi ^F2 of repentance and good works; and so the Targum,

``let thy garments be white (or washed) from all filth of sin;''

or be without any spot of sin, as Alshech; the conversation garments of the saints are made white in the blood of Christ, and his righteousness is fine linen, and white; and even eternal glory and happiness is signified by walking with him in white, ( Revelation 7:14 ) ( 19:8 ) ( Revelation 3:4 Revelation 3:18 ) ; and let thy head lack no ointment:
which used to be poured plentifully on the heads of guests at feasts ^F3, for the refreshment of them, which gave pleasure, and a sweet odour and fragrancy, and was much in use in those hot countries; see ( Psalms 23:5 ) ( Luke 7:46 ) ; and is opposed to a gloomy and melancholy carriage and deportment, ( Matthew 6:17 ) ; hence we read of the oil of joy and gladness, ( Psalms 45:7 ) ( Isaiah 63:1 ) . The Jews before mentioned interpreted this of a good name better than ointment, ( Ecclesiastes 7:1 ) . So the Targum,

``and a good name, which is like to anointing oil, get; that blessings may come upon thy head, and thy goodness fail not.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 "Ille repotia natales aliosque dierum, festos albatus celebret". Satyr. l. 2. Sat. 2. v. 60, 61. "Cum ipse epuli Dominus albatus esset", Cicero in Vatin. c. 13.
F2 Comment. in lsa. lxv. 13.
F3 "Coronatus nitentes malabathro Syrio capillos", Horat. Carmin. l. 2. Ode 7. v. 7, 8. "et paulo post: funde capacibus unguenta de conchis", v. 22, 23. "Unguentum (fateor) bonum dedisti convivis", Martial. l. 3. Epigr. 11.

Ecclesiastes 9:8 In-Context

6 What they loved, what they hated and what they envied all disappeared long ago, and they no longer have a share in anything done under the sun.

7 So go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God has already accepted your deeds.

8 Let your clothing always be white, and never fail to perfume your head.

9 Enjoy life with the wife you have loved throughout your meaningless life that he has given you under the sun, all the days of your futility; for that is your allotted portion in life and in your labor that you work at under the sun.

10 Whatever task comes your way to do, do it with all your strength; because in Sh'ol, where you will go, there is neither working nor planning, neither knowledge nor wisdom.