Ecclesiastes 9:5
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The living are conscious that death will come to them, but the dead are not conscious of anything, and they no longer have a reward, because there is no memory of them.
Webster's Revision
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
World English Bible
For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 9:5 Bible Commentary
The living know that they shall die - This is so self-evident that none can doubt it; and therefore all that have this conviction should prepare for death and eternal blessedness.
But the dead know not any thing - Cut off from life, they know nothing of what passes under the sun. Their day of probation is ended, and therefore they can have no farther reward in living a holy life; nor can they be liable to any farther punishment for crimes in a state of probation, that being ended.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 9:5 Bible Commentary
See Ecclesiastes 8:12, note; Ecclesiastes 8:14, note. The living are conscious that there is a future before them: but the dead are unconscious; they earn nothing, receive nothing, even the memory of them soon disappears; they are no longer excited by the passions which belong to people in this life; their share in its activity has ceased. Solomon here describes what he sees, not what he believes; there is no reference here to the fact or the mode of the existence of the soul in another world, which are matters of faith.
The last clause of Ecclesiastes 9:6 indicates that the writer confines his observations on the dead to their portion in, or relation to, this world.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 9:5 Bible Commentary
9:5 Die - Whereby they are taught to improve life. Any thing - Of the actions and events of this world. Reward - The fruit of their labours in this world, are utterly lost as to them. Forgotten - Even in those places where they had lived in great power and glory.