Ecclesiastes 9:8

Let thy 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

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Let thy garments be always white - in token of joy (Isaiah 61:3).

Always; in all convenient times and circumstances; for there are times of mourning, 7:2: compare . White; decent, and splendid, as far as is suitable to the condition. The Eastern people of the best sort used white garments, especially in times of rejoicing, as : compare ,5 6:11. But by this whiteness of garments, he understands a pleasant and cheerful conversation. Let thy head lack no ointment; which upon joyful occasions was poured upon men’ s heads, .

Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.Ver. 8. Let thy garments be always white; ] i.e., Neat, spruce, cleanly, comely. Or by a metaphor it may signify, Be merry in good manner, for they used to wear white clothing on festivals and at weddings, as Philo witnesseth. At this day also the Jews come to their synagogues in white raiment the day before the calends of September, which is their New Year’ s tide. Purple was affected by the Romans, white by the Jews. Hence Pilate clad Christ in purple, Herod in white. Herod himself was "arrayed in royal apparel"; that is, in cloth of silver, saith Josephus, which, being beaten upon by the sunbeams, dazzled the people’ s eyes, and drew from them that blasphemous acclamation, "The voice of God, and not of man." And let thine head lack no ointment.] That thou mayest look smooth and handsome. Ointments were much used with those eastern people in banquetings, bathings, and at other times. By "garments" here some understand the affections, which must "always be white," i.e., cheerful, even in times of persecution, when thy garments haply are stained with thine own blood. By the "head" they understand the thoughts, which must also be kept lithe and lightsome, as anointed with the oil of gladness. Crucem multi abominantur, crucem videntes, sed non videntes unctionem: crux enim inuncta est, saith Bernard. Many men hate the cross because they see the cross only, but see not the ointment that is upon it, for the cross is anointed, and by the grace of God’ s Holy Spirit helping our infirmities, it becomes not only light, but sweet - not only not troublesome, but even desirable and delectable. Martyr etiam in catena gaudet. Paul gloried in his sufferings. His spirit was cheered up by the thoughts of them as by some fragrant ointment. De vita Theoretica. Stuckius in Antiq. Conviv. Augustine.

(8) 2 Samuel 12:20; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalms 45:8; Psalms 104:14; Revelation 7:9.

Verse 8. Let thy garments be always white] The Jews wore white garments on festal occasions, as emblems of joy and innocence. Be always pure, and always happy. The inhabitants of India are all dressed in clean white cotton, and to this is the allusion in the text. The Targum says: "At all times let thy garments be washed and pure from the stain of sin. Acquire a good name, which is likened to the oil of anointing, that blessings may be called down up thy head, and goodness not forsake thee."

8. Let thy garments be always white] In the symbolism of colours, so universal that we may almost call it natural, white garments, cool and refreshing in the heat of an Eastern climate, have always been associated with the idea of purity and joy (2 Chronicles 5:12; Esther 8:15). In the religious symbolism of Rev 3:4-5; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 6:11, the idea of purity is, perhaps, predominant over that of joy. So in Roman life the term “albatus” (clothed in white garments) was used of one who took part in a festive banquet (Hor. Sat. ii. 2. 61; Cic. in Vatin. c. 13). A singular instance of literalism is recorded in the life of Sisinnius, the Novatian bishop of Constantinople, who, as in obedience to this precept, never wore any but white garments (Socr. H. E. vi. 21). Chrysostom censures his ostentation. let thy head lack no ointment] Here, again, illustrations from Hebrew, Greek and Roman life crowd on us. We think of the “oil of gladness” of Psalms 45:7; the “oil of joy” of Isaiah 61:3; of “the sweet smell” of Isaiah 3:24; of “the costly wine and ointments” of Wis 2:7; of the “perfusus liquidis odoribus” of Hor. Od. i. 5; of the “Assyriaque nardo potamus uncti” (“let us drink anointed with Assyrian nard”) of Hor. Od. ii. 11.

8. Garments… white — White garments, grateful in hot countries, are associated with festivities and triumphs, and are the customary holiday garb. Ointment — So, also, perfumes were gladdening and demonstrative of gladness.