Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
Amid reflections on the shared mortality of all people, the Preacher urges readers to seize the present and live fully in the time they are given.
What Does Ecclesiastes 9:10 Mean?
This verse means that whatever task lies before you, you should pour yourself into it fully while you still have the chance. "Do it with thy might" is a call to wholehearted living -- not half-hearted, distracted, or always waiting for a better day. The Preacher grounds the urgency in a sober fact: the time for work, planning, and learning in this present life does not last forever, so the moment to act is now.
The reference to "the grave" reminds us that our days under the sun are limited, and the opportunities of this life will not always be open to us. Far from breeding despair, this truth fuels purpose. Because today is a gift and not a guarantee, we should give ourselves to the good work in front of us with energy and gladness. This is the Preacher's antidote to the listless drift that comes from feeling everything is fleeting: receive each day as a trust, and spend it well. Wholehearted, present, diligent labor is itself one of the gifts God gives to those who live in time.
In the Original Language
The word koach (כֹּחַ), "might," means strength or power; the verse calls for putting one's full strength into the task at hand.
Cross References
Application
Give your full effort to the good work set before you today rather than postponing it, treating this day as the gift and opportunity it truly is.