A good name [is] better than precious ointment
The word "good" is not in the text, but is rightly supplied, as it is by Jarchi; for of no other name can this be said; that which is not good cannot be better. Some understand this of the name of God, which is God himself, who is the "summum bonum", and chief happiness of men, and take it to be an answer to the question ( Ecclesiastes 6:12 ) ; this and this only is what is a man's good, and is preferable to all outward enjoyments whatever; interest in him as a covenant God; knowledge of him in Christ, which has eternal life annexed to it; communion with him; the discoveries of his lovingkindness, which is better than little; and the enjoyment of him to all eternity. This is true of the name of Christ, whose name Messiah which signifies anointed, is as ointment poured forth, and is preferable to it, ( Song of Solomon 1:3 ) ( John 1:41 ) ; so his other names, Jesus a Saviour; Jehovah, our righteousness; Immanuel, God with us; are exceeding precious to those who know the worth of him, and see their need of righteousness and salvation by him; his person, and the knowledge of him; his Gospel, and the fame and report it gives of him; infinitely exceed the most precious and fragrant ointment; see ( 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ) . So the name or names given to the people of God, the new names of Hephzibah and Beulah, the name of sons of God, better than that of sons and daughters; and of Christians, or anointed ones, having received that anointing from Christ which teacheth all things, and so preferable to the choicest ointment, ( Isaiah 56:5 ) ( Isaiah 62:3 Isaiah 62:4 ) ( 65:15 ) ( Revelation 2:17 ) ( Acts 11:26 ) ( 1 John 2:20 1 John 2:27 ) . Likewise to have a name written in heaven, in the Lamb's book of life, and to have one's name confessed by Christ hereafter before his Father and his holy angels; or even a good name among men, a name for a truly godly gracious person; for love to Christ, zeal for his cause, and faithfulness to his truths and ordinances; such as the woman got, better than the box of ointment poured on Christ's head; and which the brother had, whose praise in the Gospel was throughout the churches; and as Demetrius, who had good report of all then, and of the truth itself, ( Matthew 26:13 ) ( 2 Corinthians 8:18 ) ( 3 John 1:12 ) . Such a good name is better than precious ointment for the value of it, being better than all riches, for which this may be put; see ( Isaiah 39:2 ) ( Proverbs 22:1 ) ; and for the fragrancy of it, emitting a greater; and for the continuance of it, being more lasting, ( Psalms 112:6 ) ( Proverbs 10:6 ) . The Targum is,
``better is a good name the righteous get in this world, thin the anointing oil which was poured upon the heads of kings and priests.''So Alshech,
``a good name is better than the greatness of a king, though anointed with oil;''and the day of death than the day of one's birth;
``the day in which a man dies and departs to the house of the grave, with a good name and with righteousness, is better than the day in which a wicked man is born into the world.''So the Midrash interprets it of one that goes out of the world with a good name, considering this clause in connection with the preceding, as many do.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.