Ecclesiastes 7:2 It 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.

Bible > Ecclesiastes > Chapter 7 > Verse 2

◄ Ecclesiastes 7:2 ►

New International Version
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

New Living Translation
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart.

English Standard Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.

Berean Standard Bible
It 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.

King James Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

New King James Version
Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.

New American Standard Bible
It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every person, And the living takes it to heart.

NASB 1995
It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.

NASB 1977
It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting Because that is the end of all mankind, And the living puts this in his heart.

Amplified Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that [day of death] is the end of every man, And the living will take it to heart and solemnly ponder its meaning.

Christian Standard Bible
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.

American Standard Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Contemporary English Version
It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die.

English Revised Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It is better to go to a funeral than to a banquet because that is where everyone will end up. Everyone who is alive should take this to heart!

Good News Translation
It is better to go to a home where there is mourning than to one where there is a party, because the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all.

International Standard Version
It's better to attend a funeral than to attend a banquet, for everyone dies eventually, and the living will take this to heart.

Majority Standard Bible
It 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.

NET Bible
It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

New Heart English Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

World English Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Better to go to a house of mourning, "" Than to go to a house of banqueting, "" For that is the end of all men, "" And the living lays [it] to his heart.

Young's Literal Translation
Better to go unto a house of mourning, Than to go unto a house of banqueting, For that is the end of all men, And the living layeth it unto his heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
Good to go to the house of mourning rather than to go to the house of drinking, in that it is the end of every man; and he living shall give to his heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is better to go to a house of mourning, than to a house of feasting. For in the former, we are admonished about the end of all things, so that the living consider what may be in the future.

New American Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting, For that is the end of every mortal, and the living should take it to heart.

New Revised Standard Version
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for this is the end of everyone, and the living will lay it to heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting; for this is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Better to go to the house of weeping than to go to the banquet house, because this is the end of all the children of men, and The Living One gives good to his heart

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
It is better to go to the house of mourning, Than to go to the house of feasting; For that is the end of all men, And the living will lay it to his heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Value of Wisdom
1A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth. 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. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Psalm 39:4-5
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 57:1-2
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous are taken away from the presence of evil. / Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

Psalm 49:10
For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.

Philippians 1:21-23
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. / But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. / I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.

Treasury of Scripture

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

better

Genesis 48:1
And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Genesis 49:2
Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

Genesis 50:15-17
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him…

that

Numbers 23:10
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

Deuteronomy 32:29
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Romans 6:21,22
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death…

living

Deuteronomy 32:46
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

Isaiah 47:7
And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.

Haggai 1:5
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

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Ecclesiastes 7

1. remedies against vanity are, a good name
2. mortification
7. patience
11. wisdom
23. The difficulty of wisdom

Berean Study Bible

It is better
The phrase "It is better" sets a comparative tone, suggesting a value judgment that may seem counterintuitive at first. In Hebrew, the word "tov" is used, which means "good" or "better." This word is often used in wisdom literature to denote moral or practical superiority. The author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, is emphasizing the spiritual and reflective benefits of certain experiences over others.

to go to a house of mourning
The "house of mourning" refers to a place where people gather to grieve the loss of a loved one. In ancient Israel, mourning was a communal activity, often involving rituals and expressions of grief. The Hebrew word for mourning, "ebel," conveys a deep sense of sorrow and reflection. This setting encourages introspection and the contemplation of life's transient nature, aligning with the biblical theme of humility and the acknowledgment of human mortality.

than to go to a house of feasting
In contrast, the "house of feasting" symbolizes celebration and joy, often associated with weddings or festivals. While feasting is not condemned in Scripture, it is portrayed here as less conducive to spiritual growth. The Hebrew word "mishteh" refers to a banquet or drinking party, which can sometimes lead to excess and distraction from spiritual matters. The comparison highlights the temporary nature of earthly pleasures.

for death is the destiny of every man
This phrase underscores the inevitability of death, a central theme in Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew word "mavet" for death is a stark reminder of the human condition. The phrase serves as a sobering truth that levels all social and economic distinctions, reminding believers of the importance of living a life aligned with God's will. It calls for a focus on eternal rather than temporal values.

the living should take this to heart
The exhortation for "the living" to "take this to heart" is a call to wisdom and reflection. The Hebrew verb "natan" (to give) combined with "leb" (heart) suggests an active engagement with the truth of mortality. This phrase encourages believers to internalize the lessons learned from mourning, leading to a life of greater purpose and alignment with divine principles. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, valuing spiritual growth over fleeting pleasures.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Comparing this verse with Ecclesiastes 2:24, it is plain that the Preacher does not in the latter place recommend reckless enjoyment, but enjoyment tempered by the fear of God, and looking to the end.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting. The thought in the last verse leads to the recollection of the circumstances which accompany the two events therein mentioned - birth and death, feasting and joy, in the first case; sorrow and mourning in the second. In recommending the sober, earnest life, Koheleth teaches that wiser, more enduring lessons are to be learned where grief reigns than in the empty and momentary excitement of mirth and joyousness. The house in question is mourning for a death; and what a long and harrowing business this was is well known (see Deuteronomy 24:8; Ecclus. 22:10; Jeremiah 22:18; Matthew 9:23, etc.). Visits of condolence and periodical pilgrimages to groves of departed relatives were considered duties (John 11:19, 31), and conduced to the growth in the mind of sympathy, seriousness, and the need of preparation for death. The opposite side, the house of carousal, where all that is serious is put away, leading to such scenes as Isaiah denounces (Isaiah 5:11), offers no wise teaching, and produces only selfishness, heartlessness, thoughtlessness. What is said here is no contradiction to what was said in Ecclesiastes 2:24, that there was nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and enjoy himself. For Koheleth was not speaking of unrestrained sensualism - the surrender of the mind to the pleasures of the body - but of the moderate enjoyment of the good things of life conditioned by the fear of God and love of one's neighbor. This statement is quite compatible with the view that sees a higher purpose and training in the sympathy with sorrow than in participation in reckless frivolity. For that is the end of all men viz. that they will some day be mourned, that their house will be turned into a house of mourning. Vulgate, In illa (dome) enim finis cunctorum admonetur hominum, which is not the sense of the Hebrew. The living will lay it to his heart. He who has witnessed this scene will consider it seriously (Ecclesiastes 9:1), and draw from it profitable conclusions concerning the brevity of life and the proper use to make thereof. We recall the words of Christ, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted;" and "Woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep" (Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:25). Schultens gives an Arab proverb which says, "Hearest thou lamentation for the dead, hasten to the spot; art thou called to a banquet, cross not the threshold." The Septuagint thus translates the last clause, Καὶ ὁ ζῶν δώσει ἀγαθὸν εἰς καρδίαν αὐτοῦ "The living will put good into his heart;" the Vulgate paraphrases fairly, Et vivens cogitat quid futurum sit," The living thinks what is to come." "So teach us to number our days," prays the psalmist, "that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

It is better
ט֞וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

to enter
לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

a house
בֵּֽית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of mourning
אֵ֗בֶל (’ê·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 60: Lamentation

than
מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ (mil·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

a house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of feasting,
מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה (miš·teh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

since
בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר (ba·’ă·šer)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

[death]
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

[is] the end
ס֣וֹף (sō·wp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5490: A termination

of every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

man,
הָאָדָ֑ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and the living
וְהַחַ֖י (wə·ha·ḥay)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

should take [this]
יִתֵּ֥ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

heart.
לִבּֽוֹ׃ (lib·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)