Ecclesiastes 7:2

KJV1611 – Modern English

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 take it to heart.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

טוֹב לָלֶכֶת אֶל־בֵּית־אֵבֶל מִלֶּכֶת אֶל־בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא סוֹף כָּל־הָאָדָם וְהַחַי יִתֵּן אֶל־לִבּוֹ

Transliteration

Ṭôḇ lāleḵeṯ to-bêṯ-ʾēḇel from-lekeṯ to-bêṯ mišteh in-which he sôp̄ all-the-ʾāḏām wə-haḥay yittēn to-libbô

Grammar Details

• *Ṭôḇ*: adjective, masculine singular - good/better
• *lāleḵeṯ*: Qal infinitive construct with preposition - to go
• *bêṯ*-*ʾēḇel*: construct chain - house of mourning
• *lekeṯ*: Qal infinitive construct - going
• *bêṯ* *mišteh*: noun + noun - house of feasting
• *sôp̄*: noun, masculine singular - end
• *ʾāḏām*: noun, masculine singular with definite article - the man/mankind
• *wə-haḥay*: conjunction + article + adjective/participle - and the living
• *yittēn*: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - he will give/set
• *libbô*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his heart

Word Meanings

• *Ṭôḇ*: good/better/more beneficial
• *bêṯ*-*ʾēḇel*: house of mourning/place of grief
• *bêṯ* *mišteh*: house of feasting/place of banquet
• *sôp̄*: end/conclusion/destiny
• *ʾāḏām*: mankind/humanity/every person
• *haḥay*: the living one/one who is alive
• *yittēn* *ʾel-libbô*: will take to heart/will consider deeply/will reflect

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, because death is the destination of everyone, and the living should take it to heart.

• King James Version 1769 (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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  It is better{H2896} to go{H3212} to the house{H1004} of mourning{H60} than to go{H3212} to the house{H1004} of feasting:{H4960} for{H834} that is the end{H5490} of all men;{H120} and the living{H2416} will lay{H5414} it to his heart.{H3820}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  It is better{H2896} to go{H3212}{(H8800)} to the house{H1004} of mourning{H60}, than to go{H3212}{(H8800)} to the house{H1004} of feasting{H4960}: for{H834} that is the end{H5490} of all men{H120}; and the living{H2416} will lay{H5414}{(H8799)} it to his heart{H3820}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  It is better to go in to an house of mournynge, then in to a bancket house. For there is the ende of all men, and he that is lyuinge, taketh it to herte.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  (7:4) It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting, because this is the ende of all men: and the liuing shall lay it to his heart.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  It is better to go into an house of mourning, then into a banketting house: For there is the ende of all men, and he that is liuing taketh it to heart.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  [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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  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.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  It is better to go to the house of weeping, than to go to the house of feasting; because that is the end of every man, and the living will take it to their hearts.

• World English Bible (2000)

  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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  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.

Referenced Verses

• Ps 90:12 : 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
• Isa 5:11-12 : 11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them! 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tambourine, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they do not regard the work of the LORD, nor consider the operation of his hands.
• Isa 22:12-14 : 12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth. 13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die. 14 And it was revealed in my ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you until you die, says the Lord GOD of hosts.
• Isa 47:7 : 7 And you said, 'I shall be a lady forever,' so that you did not lay these things to heart, nor remember their end.
• Amos 6:3-6 : 3 You who put far away the evil day, and bring near the seat of violence; 4 Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; 5 Who sing to the sound of the harp, and invent for themselves instruments of music, like David; 6 Who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest ointments: but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
• Hag 1:5 : 5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.
• Mal 2:2 : 2 If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I have cursed them already because you do not take it to heart.
• Matt 5:4 : 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• Matt 14:6-9 : 6 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. 8 And she, having been prompted by her mother, said, Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless, because of the oath, and those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 And he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the young woman, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
• Rom 6:21-22 : 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, having been freed from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.
• Phil 3:19 : 19 Whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.
• Heb 9:27 : 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
• 1 Pet 4:3-4 : 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have done the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in sensuality, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
• Gen 48:1-9 : 1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, your father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, your son Joseph comes to you: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, 4 And said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people; and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession. 5 And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6 And your offspring, which you beget after them, shall be yours, and shall be called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan on the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem. 8 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? 9 And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray you, to me, and I will bless them. 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. 11 And Israel said to Joseph, I had not thought to see your face: and, lo, God has shown me also your seed. 12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel who redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. 17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put your right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations. 20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In you shall Israel bless, saying, God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. 22 Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
• Gen 49:2-9 : 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, you sons of Jacob, and listen to Israel your father. 3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. 4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it: he went up to my couch. 5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwellings. 6 O my soul, do not come into their secret; to their assembly, my honor, do not be united: for in their anger they killed a man, and in their self-will they tore down a wall. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. 8 Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise: your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, you have gone up: he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. 13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be a haven for ships; and his border shall be to Zidon. 14 Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between two burdens. 15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant to tribute. 16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, a viper in the path, that bites the horse's heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. 18 I have waited for your salvation, O LORD. 19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last. 20 Out of Asher his bread shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies. 21 Naphtali is a deer let loose: he gives goodly words. 22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have severely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.) 25 By the God of your father, who shall help you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my ancestors to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. 27 Benjamin shall ravage as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. 28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. 29 And he charged them, and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. 32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth. 33 And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the spirit, and was gathered to his people.
• Gen 50:15-17 : 15 And when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will perhaps hate us, and will certainly repay us all the evil that we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Your father did command before he died, saying, 17 So shall you say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray you now, the trespass of your brothers, and their sin, for they did unto you evil, and now, we pray you, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke unto him.
• Num 23:10 : 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!
• Deut 32:29 : 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
• Deut 32:46 : 46 And he said to them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
• Job 1:4-5 : 4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and they would send and call for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.