Ecclesiastes 9:10 ?

[Superior Shine]

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10 "

Mike what does this mean?

My best guess is that it means that you only have so much time on earth so make the best of it.

Is that right?

[SpoiledMan]

When you find something that you're good at, be your best at it. There is no job once you're in the grave/heaven.

That's my take.

[Mike Phillips]

Chris said pretty much what I was going to say and then my cable Internet connection died and I had to re-start everything.


Basically, everyone has something they're talented at, or at least gifted for, in a special way. The idea being that once you find out what you're good at and if you're lucky enough to then find a way to make a living at it, then give it all you've got. It's more of an act of seeking and finding out what it is you're good at and then giving it all your might versus stumbling along and giving all your might to whatever comes along.

Talent + passion, + hard work + persistence usually results in success at least at some level. There are other factors that come into play but these are the things we can control.

The other part of the text has to do with taking advantage of the time you've been alloted.

[Superior Shine]

Cool !!

I got half of it right!

[Murr1525]

The first thing that popped into my mind was that it encouraged using the G-100....

[Superior Shine]

Originally posted by Murr1525
The first thing that popped into my mind was that it encouraged using the G-100....

................ before you die.

[STG]

Brings a new meaning to spinning in one's grave, doesn't it?

[inthedetails]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
................ before you die.

Maybe mastering it before I die.........

[magnus]

Some different translations:

• Whatsoever thy hand findesth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, now wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. [King James]
  
• All that your hand finds you able to do, do it with your might; for there is neither work nor invention now knowledge nor wisom in Sheol, toward which you are moving. [Modern Language]
  
• Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding. [Living Bible]
  
• Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with our might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. [Revised Standard]
  
• Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. [New International]

My New International Version study Bible suggests that the book of Ecclesiastes was possibly written by King Solomon, but possibly another author at a later date. the author reviews the purpose of life's experiences between birth and death and sees that regardless of man's attempt to master the world and his own destiny, it is in vain to pursue hopes and expectations that are not logical when both looked at from God's perspective and God's request that man is to trust His plan for man's path through life.

The study Bible also suggests that this book "contains the philosophical and theological reflections of an old man, most of whose life was meaningless because he had not himself relied on God."

Chapter 9 is listed with the title, "A Common Destiny for All." The paragraph in which this specific text is placed is as follows:
(7) Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. (8) Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. (9) Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun--all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. (10) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Some might take this as permission to do whatever they feel like, but I do not see it as such. Because the previous chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes is talking about man's efforts (everything, wisdom, pleasure, toil, friends, advancement, riches) being meaningless apart from God, and the title for this chapter being what it is, I see this as encouragement to accept what you have and make the best of it in God's eyes.

The author continues with verse 11, saying that regardless of your skill, strive, or passion, God's plan will ultimately prevail over human effort:
(11) I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the switft or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the briliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

My study Bible lists a cross reference to Paul's letter to the Colassians, an early church in what we now know as Turkey. Colassians 3:23, where Paul is talking to the slaves, suggesting that they should obey their earthly masters in everything, but to show Christian principles in their actions and change their situation from within by example. Colassians 3:23 states: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

[dtbdaniel]

Well Said