Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

8. Let thy garments be always white ] In the symbolism of colours, so universal that we may almost call it natural, white garments, cool and refreshing in the heat of an Eastern climate, have always been associated with the idea of purity and joy (2Ch 5:12; Est 8:15). In the religious symbolism of Rev 3:4-5; Rev 3:18; Rev 6:11, the idea of purity is, perhaps, predominant over that of joy. So in Roman life the term “ albatus ” (clothed in white garments) was used of one who took part in a festive banquet (Hor. Sat. ii. 2. 61; Cic. in Vatin. c. 13). A singular instance of literalism is recorded in the life of Sisinnius, the Novatian bishop of Constantinople, who, as in obedience to this precept, never wore any but white garments (Socr. H. E. vi. 21). Chrysostom censures his ostentation.

let thy head lack no ointment ] Here, again, illustrations from Hebrew, Greek and Roman life crowd on us. We think of the “oil of gladness” of Psa 45:7; the “oil of joy” of Isa 61:3; of “the sweet smell” of Isa 3:24; of “the costly wine and ointments” of Wis 2:7 ; of the “ perfusus liquidis odoribus ” of Hor. Od. i. 5; of the “ Assyriaque nardo potamus uncti ” (“let us drink anointed with Assyrian nard”) of Hor. Od. ii. 11.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 8. Let thy garments be always white] The Jews wore white garments on festal occasions, as emblems of joy and innocence. Be always pure, and always happy. The inhabitants of India are all dressed in clean white cotton, and to this is the allusion in the text.

The Targum says: “At all times let thy garments be washed and pure from the stain of sin. Acquire a good name, which is likened to the oil of anointing, that blessings may be called down up thy head, and goodness not forsake thee.”

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Always; in all convenient times and circumstances; for there are times of mourning, Ecc 3:4; 7:2; compare Pro 5:19.

White; decent, and splendid, as far as is suitable to the condition. The Eastern people of the best sort used white garments, especially in times of rejoicing, as Est 8:15; compare Rev 3:4,5; 6:11. But by this whiteness of garments, he understands a pleasant and cheerful conversation.

Let thy head lack no ointment; which upon joyful occasions was poured upon mens heads, Amo 6:6; Luk 7:46; Joh 12:3.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

8. whitein token of joy (Isa61:3). Solomon was clad in white (JOSEPHUS,Antiquities, 8:7,3); hence his attire is compared to the”lilies” (Mt6:29), typical of the spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ,which the redeemed shall wear (Rev 3:18;Rev 7:14).

ointment (Ps23:5), opposed to a gloomy exterior (2Sa 14:2;Psa 45:7; Mat 6:17);typical, also (Ecc 7:1; Son 1:3).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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 a 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, Isa 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 b 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, Re 7:14;

and let thy head lack no ointment: which used to be poured plentifully on the heads of guests at feasts c, for the refreshment of them, which gave pleasure, and a sweet odour and fragrancy, and was much in use in those hot countries; see Ps 23:5; and is opposed to a gloomy and melancholy carriage and deportment, Mt 6:17; hence we read of the oil of joy and gladness, Ps 45:7. The Jews before mentioned interpreted this of a good name better than ointment, Ec 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.”

a “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. b Comment. in lsa. lxv. 13. c “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.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(8) 2Sa. 12:20; 2Sa. 14:2; Psa. 45:8; Psa. 104:14; Rev. 7:9.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

8. Garments white White garments, grateful in hot countries, are associated with festivities and triumphs, and are the customary holiday garb.

Ointment So, also, perfumes were gladdening and demonstrative of gladness. Although Koheleth is by no means now looking at life from a Christian and religious, but only from a moral and practical, point, yet his counsel coincides with that of the psalmist: “Serve the Lord with gladness;” and with that of the apostle, “Rejoice evermore.” Joyfulness of heart is a religious and Christian precept.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. (9) Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. (10) Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

How striking and conclusive are these reasonings of the preacher. And if construed with an eye to Christ, then are they doubly so. Oh! that souls convinced, that they are in Christ, would live up to their high privileges. Surely the soul that hath Jesus to live upon, hath a Benjamin’s portion, and enough to live upon. Christ is his portion; and in him he hath all. Therefore, whatsoever he findeth to do in Christ, there should be no halving. In living upon him, in living to him, in proclaiming his praise, do all with your whole strength. The grave cannot praise thee, (said Hezekiah, when he thought his end approaching), death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. Isa 38:18 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Ecc 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Ver. 8. Let thy garments be always white; ] i.e., Neat, spruce, cleanly, comely. Or by a metaphor it may signify, Be merry in good manner, for they used to wear white clothing on festivals and at weddings, as Philo a witnesseth. At this day also the Jews come to their synagogues in white raiment the day before the calends of September, which is their New Year’s tide. b Purple was affected by the Romans, white by the Jews. see Jam 2:2 Hence Pilate clad Christ in purple, Mat 27:28 Herod in white. Luk 23:11 Herod himself was “arrayed in royal apparel”; Act 12:21 that is, in cloth of silver, saith Josephus, which, being beaten upon by the sunbeams, dazzled the people’s eyes, and drew from them that blasphemous acclamation, “The voice of God, and not of man.”

And let thine head lack no ointment. ] That thou mayest look smooth and handsome. Mat 6:16-17 Ointments were much used with those eastern people in banquetings, bathings, and at other times. Luk 7:46 Mat 26:7 By “garments” here some understand the affections , as Col 3:8-12 which must “always be white,” i.e., cheerful, even in times of persecution, when thy garments haply are stained with thine own blood. By the “head” they understand the thoughts, which must also be kept lithe and lightsome, as anointed with the oil of gladness. Crucem multi abominantur, crucem videntes, sed non videntes unctionem: crux enim inuncta est, saith Bernard. Many men hate the cross because they see the cross only, but see not the ointment that is upon it, for the cross is anointed, and by the grace of God’s Holy Spirit helping our infirmities, it becomes not only light, but sweet – not only not troublesome, but even desirable and delectable. Martyr etiam in catena gaudet. c Paul gloried in his sufferings. His spirit was cheered up by the thoughts of them as by some fragrant ointment.

a De vita Theoretica.

b Stuckius in Antiq. Conviv.

c Augustine.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

ointment = perfume.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

thy garments: 2Sa 19:24, Est 8:15, Rev 3:4, Rev 3:5, Rev 7:9, Rev 7:13, Rev 7:14, Rev 16:15, Rev 19:8, Rev 19:14

let thy head: Rth 3:3, 2Sa 14:2, Dan 10:3, Amo 6:6, Mat 6:17, Luk 7:46

Reciprocal: Gen 5:5 – and he died 2Sa 12:20 – anointed Isa 61:3 – the oil Mat 26:7 – very Luk 7:38 – and anointed

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

9:8 Let thy garments be always {e} white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

(e) Rejoice, be merry and spare for no cost, thus speak the wicked belly-gods.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes