Ecclesiastes 9:8

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֕ת be always H6256
עֵ֕ת be always
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 2 of 10
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
יִהְי֥וּ H1961
יִהְי֥וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְגָדֶ֖יךָ Let thy garments H899
בְגָדֶ֖יךָ Let thy garments
Strong's: H899
Word #: 4 of 10
a covering, i.e., clothing
לְבָנִ֑ים white H3836
לְבָנִ֑ים white
Strong's: H3836
Word #: 5 of 10
white
וְשֶׁ֖מֶן no ointment H8081
וְשֶׁ֖מֶן no ointment
Strong's: H8081
Word #: 6 of 10
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשְׁךָ֥ and let thy head H7218
רֹאשְׁךָ֥ and let thy head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 8 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 9 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יֶחְסָֽר׃ lack H2637
יֶחְסָֽר׃ lack
Strong's: H2637
Word #: 10 of 10
to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

Cross References

Revelation 19:14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.Revelation 19:8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.Revelation 7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;Revelation 16:15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Daniel 10:3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.Ruth 3:3Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.2 Samuel 19:24And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.Esther 8:15And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.Matthew 6:17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Analysis & Commentary

Let thy garments be always white (בְּכָל־עֵת יִהְיוּ בְגָדֶיךָ לְבָנִים)—white garments signified celebration, joy, and festivity in ancient Israel. Rather than mournful sackcloth, the Preacher urges wearing festive clothing always (be-kol-et, בְּכָל־עֵת, at all times). This isn't superficial materialism but symbolic embrace of joy as God's gift. And let thy head lack no ointment (וְשֶׁמֶן עַל־רֹאשְׁךָ אַל־יֶחְסָר)—anointing the head with fragrant oil was another sign of gladness and celebration (Psalm 23:5; 133:2). The Hebrew cheser (חָסֵר, lack) in the negative (al-yechsar, אַל־יֶחְסָר) urges continuous joy.

This verse continues the urgent exhortation beginning at 9:7: because life is brief and death terminates earthly participation (9:5-6), embrace present joys gratefully rather than postponing happiness until circumstances improve. This isn't hedonism—earlier verses affirm God gives both joy and work (9:7)—but wisdom to receive God's good gifts without guilt or perpetual deferral. Jesus later affirmed joy as kingdom reality: "these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11). Christian joy doesn't deny suffering but receives God's gifts gratefully amidst life's brevity.

Historical Context

In ancient Israel, white garments and anointing oil marked festive occasions—weddings, religious festivals, and celebrations. Ordinary daily wear was undyed wool or linen; white garments required effort to maintain and signaled special joy. Anointing with perfumed oil (often olive oil mixed with myrrh, cinnamon, or spikenard) was expensive luxury reserved for celebrations. The Preacher's counsel to maintain this festive posture "always" was countercultural—ancient Near Eastern mourning customs involved sackcloth, ashes, and cessation of anointing (2 Samuel 14:2). His advice anticipates Jesus's teaching that kingdom citizens don't display mournful fasting publicly (Matthew 6:16-18). The New Testament describes believers wearing white robes in glory (Revelation 7:9), but Ecclesiastes urges wearing them now—receiving present life as gift. The Reformers, particularly Calvin, emphasized that Christians should gratefully enjoy God's creation without false asceticism, though always with moderation and thanksgiving.

Questions for Reflection

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