Ecclesiastes 9:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's understanding of Sheol emphasized separation from earthly life. The psalmist lamented that in Sheol "there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 9:10)—the shadowy realm lacked the vibrant existence of the living. This wasn't hopelessness but realism about death's finality "under the sun." Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israelites buried the dead with minimal grave goods compared to Egyptians—reflecting less developed beliefs about afterlife activity. The verse speaks phenomenologically from earthly observation: the dead don't participate in current events, businesses, politics, or relationships. Paul later revealed that believers absent from the body are present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), but even this blessed state involves separation from earthly affairs until resurrection reunites soul and body. The Reformers emphasized that while believers' souls enjoy conscious fellowship with Christ, full redemption awaits bodily resurrection at the eschaton.
Questions for Reflection
- What passions—whether loves, hatreds, or envies—are consuming your emotional energy, and will they matter when death ends your earthly portion?
- How does the reality that death terminates earthly participation motivate you to invest in eternal kingdom work while alive?
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Analysis & Commentary
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished (גַּם־אַהֲבָתָם גַּם־שִׂנְאָתָם גַּם־קִנְאָתָם כְּבָר אָבָדָה)—death terminates all earthly passions and pursuits. The threefold repetition of gam (גַּם, also/even) emphasizes comprehensiveness: love (ahavah, אַהֲבָה), hatred (sin'ah, שִׂנְאָה), and envy (qin'ah, קִנְאָה) all vanish. The Hebrew avad (אָבַד, perished) means to be destroyed or lost—the emotional investments and rivalries that consumed the living cease at death.
Neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun (וְחֵלֶק אֵין־לָהֶם עוֹד לְעוֹלָם בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ)—the dead have no cheleq (חֵלֶק, portion/share) in earthly affairs. This isn't annihilationism but recognition that death severs connection to temporal existence. The Preacher's point is urgent: invest emotions and energy wisely while alive, for death ends earthly opportunity. Jesus taught a parallel truth: "work while it is day; the night comes when no one can work" (John 9:4). The judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) will evaluate earthly deeds—what we loved, hated, and pursued matters eternally, though death ends earthly participation.