Ecclesiastes 7:1 “A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is bet…”

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

World English Bible

A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.

American Standard Version

A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.

Geneva Bible 1599

Surely there be many things that increase vanitie: and what auaileth it man?

Darby Translation

A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Young's Literal Translation

Better [is] a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.

Bible in Basic English

A good name is better than oil of great price, and the day of death than the day of birth.

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Cross references

“name”

Proverbs 22:1 Proverbs 15:30 Isaiah 56:5 Luke 10:20 Hebrews 11:2 Hebrews 11:39

Proverbs 22:1 · BSB

A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

Proverbs 15:30 · BSB

The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.

Isaiah 56:5 · BSB

I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

Luke 10:20 · BSB

Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Hebrews 11:2 · BSB

This is why the ancients were commended.

Hebrews 11:39 · BSB

These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.

“precious”

Proverbs 27:9 Song of Solomon 1:3 Ecclesiastes 10:1 Psalm 133:2 John 13:2 Song of Solomon 4:10

Proverbs 27:9 · BSB

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul.

Song of Solomon 1:3 · BSB

The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 · BSB

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Psalm 133:2 · BSB

It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.

John 13:2 · BSB

The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

Song of Solomon 4:10 · BSB

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

“the day”

Revelation 14:13 Ecclesiastes 4:2 2 Corinthians 5:8 2 Corinthians 5:1 Philippians 1:21–23 Job 3:17

Revelation 14:13 · BSB

And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”

Ecclesiastes 4:2 · BSB

So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.

2 Corinthians 5:8 · BSB

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:1 · BSB

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Philippians 1:21–23 · BSB

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Job 3:17 · BSB

There the wicked cease from raging, and there the weary find rest.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart.

Read Ecclesiastes 7