All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

ECCLESIASTES 9:2KJV
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Ecclesiastes 9:2 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 9:2 mean?

Ecclesiastes 9:2 says that the same fate comes to everyone, whether they are righteous or wicked, good or bad, religious or not. The verse points out that no matter a person's moral or religious standing, all people share the same ultimate outcome in life.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, reflecting on the seeming unfairness and unpredictability of life. He lists pairs of opposites—righteous and wicked, clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not—to show that death or misfortune does not discriminate. This verse is part of a larger section where the writer wrestles with the limits of human wisdom and the reality that earthly life ends the same way for all.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 9:2

  • "event" (מִקְרֶה, miqreh): This word means "happening" or "fate." Here, it emphasizes that the same occurrence—usually understood as death—happens to everyone, regardless of their character or actions.
  • "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) and "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha): These words highlight the moral extremes. The verse deliberately includes both to stress that virtue or wickedness does not change the basic outcome.
  • "clean" (טָהוֹר, tahor) and "unclean" (טָמֵא, tame): These terms refer to ritual purity in ancient Israel. The verse’s mention of both shows that religious observance or status does not affect the "one event" that comes to all.
  • "sacrificeth" (זָבַח, zavach): This word refers to offering sacrifices, a key part of worship in ancient Israel. The verse includes both those who participate in religious rituals and those who do not, underlining the universality of the outcome.

Why Ecclesiastes 9:2 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 9:2 challenges the idea that good or religious people are guaranteed a better earthly outcome than others, which was a common belief in ancient times.
  • The verse sets up the book’s broader theme: human life is unpredictable and often seems unfair, prompting readers to reflect on what really matters.
  • By listing so many contrasting types of people, the verse emphasizes the shared human experience and the limits of human control over life and death.

Where else these words appear

“event” Hebrew H4745 · used in 8 verses

  • Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
  • 1 Samuel 20:26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

“oath” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
  • Nehemiah 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

“feareth” Hebrew H3373 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Psalms 119:79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

“unclean” Hebrew H2931 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Deuteronomy 14:7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.