Let your garments be always white That is, neat and clean, not vile and sordid; what is comely and decent, and suitable to a man's circumstances; this colour is particularly mentioned because much used in the eastern countries, and in Judea; hence we so often read of washing garments, and of fullers that whitened them; and especially on festival days and days of rejoicing, to which Horace ^F1 refers; and here it signifies that every day should be like a festival or day of rejoicing to a good man, to whom God has given the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, ([Reference Isaiah 61:3]) ; and though there may be times for mourning, and so of putting on other apparel, yet, in common and ordinarily, this should be the habit, decent and comely apparel.

The ancient Jews in Aben Ezra, and so Jarchi, interpret it of an unblemished conversation; and Kimchi ^F2 of repentance and good works; and so the Targum, ``let your garments be white (or washed) from all filth of sin;'' or be without any spot of sin, as Alshech; the conversation garments of the saints are made white in the blood of Christ, and his righteousness is fine linen, and white; and even eternal glory and happiness is signified by walking with him in white, ([Reference Revelation 7:14]) (19:8) ([Reference Revelation 3:4][Reference Revelation 3:18]) ;

and let your head lack no ointment : which used to be poured plentifully on the heads of guests at feasts ^F3 , for the refreshment of them, which gave pleasure, and a sweet odour and fragrancy, and was much in use in those hot countries; see ([Reference Psalms 23:5]) ([Reference Luke 7:46]) ; and is opposed to a gloomy and melancholy carriage and deportment, ([Reference Matthew 6:17]) ; hence we read of the oil of joy and gladness, ([Reference Psalms 45:7]) ([Reference Isaiah 63:1]) . The Jews before mentioned interpreted this of a good name better than ointment, ([Reference Ecclesiastes 7:1]) . So the Targum, ``and a good name, which is like to anointing oil, get; that blessings may come upon your head, and your goodness fail not.''

FOOTNOTES:

F1: "Ille repotia natales aliosque dierum, festos albatus celebret". Satyr. l. 2. Sat. 2. v. 60, 61. "Cum ipse epuli Dominus albatus esset", Cicero in Vatin. c. 13.
F2: Comment. in lsa. lxv. 13.
F3: "Coronatus nitentes malabathro Syrio capillos", Horat. Carmin. l. 2. Ode 7. v. 7, 8. "et paulo post: funde capacibus unguenta de conchis", v. 22, 23. "Unguentum (fateor) bonum dedisti convivis", Martial. l. 3. Epigr. 11.

Charles Ellicott Commentary Ecclesiastes 9:8

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Ecclesiastes 9:8

SCRIPTURE