Ecc 9:5 | JFB | STEP | 5. know that they shall die-- and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" ( ; ). dead know not anything-- that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned ( ; ); also, they know no door of repentance open to them, such as is to all on earth. neither ... reward-- no advantage from their worldly labors (Ec 2:18-22; 4:9). memory-- not of the righteous ( ; Mal 3:16), but the wicked, who with all the pains to perpetuate their names ( ) are soon "forgotten" ( ).

‏ Ecclesiastes 9:5

5. know that they shall die--and may thereby be led "so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to wisdom" (Ec 7:1-4; Psa 90:12).

dead know not anything--that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned (Job 14:21; Is 63:16); also, they know no door of repentance open to them, such as is to all on earth.

neither ... reward--no advantage from their worldly labors (Ec 2:18-22; 4:9).

memory--not of the righteous (Psa 112:6; Mal 3:16), but the wicked, who with all the pains to perpetuate their names (Psa 49:11) are soon "forgotten" (Ec 8:10).