Ecclesiastes Chapter 9 verse 8 Holy Bible
Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
read chapter 9 in ASV
Let your clothing be white at all times, and let not your head be without oil.
read chapter 9 in BBE
Let thy garments be always white, and let not thy head lack oil.
read chapter 9 in DARBY
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
read chapter 9 in KJV
read chapter 9 in WBT
Let your garments be always white, and don't let your head lack oil.
read chapter 9 in WEB
At all times let thy garments be white, and let not perfume be lacking on thy head.
read chapter 9 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - Let thy garments be always white. The Preacher brings into prominence certain particulars of enjoyment, more noticeable than mere eating and drinking. White garments in the East (as among ourselves) were symbols of joy and purity. Thus the singers in Solomon's temple were arrayed in white linen (2 Chronicles 5:12). Mordecai was thus honored by King Ahasuerus (Esther 8:15), the angels are seen similarly decked (Mark 16:5), and the glorified saints are clothed in white (Revelation 3:4, 5, 18). So in the pseudepi-graphal books the same imagery is retained. Those that "have fulfilled the Law of the Lord have received glorious garments, and are clothed in white" (2 Esdr. 2:39, 40). Among the Romans the same symbolism obtained. Horace ('Sat.,' 2:2. 60) - "Ille repotia, natales aliosve dierumFestes albatus celebret." "Though he in whitened toga celebrateHis wedding, birthday, or high festival." Let thy head lack no ointment. Oil and perfumes were used on festive occasions not only among Eastern nations, but by Greeks and Romans (see on Ecclesiastes 7:1). Thus Telemachus is anointed with fragrant oil by the fair Polykaste (Homer, 'Od,' 3:466). Sappho complains to Phaen (Ovid,' Heroid.' 15:76) - "Non Arabs noster rore capillus olet." . . .
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers-82Samuel 12:20; 2Samuel 14:2; Psalm 45:8; Psalm 104:14; Revelation 7:9.