All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked—the Hebrew 'miqreh echad' (מִקְרֶה אֶחָד, one event/happening) refers to death, the universal human fate transcending moral distinctions. The Preacher lists five contrasts: righteous/wicked, good/clean vs. unclean, sacrificers/non-sacrificers, good/sinner, oath-takers/oath-fearers. Despite these significant moral and ritual differences, all experience the same biological end.
As is the good, so is the sinner—this observation troubled ancient readers expecting strict retribution theology. 'Under the sun' (temporal perspective), death equalizes everyone regardless of character or conduct. This isn't denying eternal judgment (12:14) but honestly acknowledging that physical death comes to all. The verse drives readers toward resurrection hope: since earthly life ends identically for righteous and wicked, final justice requires post-mortem judgment and resurrection (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29).
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures wrestled with death's universality—Egyptian Book of the Dead, Mesopotamian Gilgamesh Epic, and Greek philosophy all addressed mortality's inevitability. Israel's early revelation about afterlife remained limited (shadowy Sheol), making death's universality particularly troubling. How could God's justice prevail if righteous and wicked share identical fates? Later biblical revelation progressively clarified: resurrection unto life or condemnation (Daniel 12:2), conscious existence after death (Luke 16:19-31), final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus's resurrection demonstrated God's power over death, ensuring believers' eventual resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The early church faced martyrdom confidently because physical death no longer represented final destiny—resurrection and eternal life awaited (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10).
Questions for Reflection
How does recognizing that death comes to everyone regardless of moral character affect your perspective on earthly success and righteousness?
In what ways does resurrection hope transform death from final equalizer into temporary transition?
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Analysis & Commentary
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked—the Hebrew 'miqreh echad' (מִקְרֶה אֶחָד, one event/happening) refers to death, the universal human fate transcending moral distinctions. The Preacher lists five contrasts: righteous/wicked, good/clean vs. unclean, sacrificers/non-sacrificers, good/sinner, oath-takers/oath-fearers. Despite these significant moral and ritual differences, all experience the same biological end.
As is the good, so is the sinner—this observation troubled ancient readers expecting strict retribution theology. 'Under the sun' (temporal perspective), death equalizes everyone regardless of character or conduct. This isn't denying eternal judgment (12:14) but honestly acknowledging that physical death comes to all. The verse drives readers toward resurrection hope: since earthly life ends identically for righteous and wicked, final justice requires post-mortem judgment and resurrection (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29).