Ecclesiastes 7:1

1. Ointment Better, perfume. Sweet perfumes are always mentioned in Scripture in accordance with the value set on them in the East. The latter part of the verse has a logical connexion with the former.

The day of death Rather, And then the day, etc. That is, to him who achieves a good name, the day of his death is a day of victory. Solon, the Athenian lawgiver, said that he counted no man happy until his death. In this view we reckon that

“The dead alone are great,

For when they die, a morning shower

Comes down, and makes their memories flower

With perfume sweet, though late”