Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 11:5
5Just as you do not know the way and path of the wind or how the bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
- New International Version (NIV)As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
- English Standard Version (ESV)As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
Context of Ecclesiastes 11:5
3If the clouds are full [of rain], they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it lies. 4He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest]. Just as you do not know the way and path of the wind or how the bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle with your hands in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening planting will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good. 7The light is sweet and pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 11Ecclesiastes 11:5 word by word
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽינְךָ֤ יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ מַה־דֶּ֣רֶךְ הָר֔וּחַ כַּעֲצָמִ֖ים בְּבֶ֣טֶן הַמְּלֵאָ֑ה כָּ֗כָה לֹ֤א תֵדַע֙ אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- As thou knowestיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
- of the spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
- how the bonesעֶ֫צֶם‛etsem · boneH6106
- in the wombבֶּ֫טֶןbeţen · belly: wombH990
- of her that is with childמָלֵאmâlê' · fullH4392
- not the worksמַעֲשֶׂהma‛ăώeh · deed: workH4639
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- who makethעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to makeH6213
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 11:5
- John 3:8The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
- Psalms 139:14I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
- Ecclesiastes 7:24Whatever has been is far off, deeply remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it [for it is beyond the grasp of man]?
- Ecclesiastes 8:17and I saw all the work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though man may labor in seeking, he will not discover; and [more than that], though a wise man thinks and claims he knows, he will not be able to find it out.
- Job 5:9Who does great and unsearchable things, Marvelous things without number.
- Job 26:5“The spirits of the dead tremble Underneath the waters and their inhabitants.
- Job 36:24“Remember that you should magnify God’s work, Of which men have sung.
- Job 37:23The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power And He will not do violence to [nor disregard] justice and abundant righteousness.
- Job 38:4Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know and have understanding.
- Job 39:1“Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock give birth [to their young]? Do you observe the calving of the deer?
- Psalms 40:5Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of your wonders, They would be too many to count.
- Psalms 92:5How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep [beyond man’s understanding].
- Psalms 104:24O Lord, how many and varied are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.
- Isaiah 40:28Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding.
- Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways!
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 11:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5As thou knowest not - the way of the spirit - Why God should have permitted such an such persons to fall into want, and how they came into all their distresses, thou canst not tell, no more than thou canst how their soul is united to their body, how it came to inform that body, or how the child was formed in the womb of its mother. Nor canst thou discern the end which God has in view in these things. He maketh all, every thing is open to him; and take…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3-6Verses 3-6 “Unforeseen events come from God; and the man who is always gazing on the uncertain future will neither begin nor complete any useful work: but do thou bear in mind that times and circumstances, the powers of nature and the results to which they minister, are in the hand of God; and be both diligent and trustful.” The images are connected chiefly with the occupation of an agricultural laborer: the discharge of rain from the cloud, and the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5God's actions are often unpredictable and mysterious. Our task is to work whenever we have the chance (see Proverbs 12:11; 24:27).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. spirit--How the soul animates the body! Thus the transition to the formation of the body "in the womb" is more natural, than if with Maurer we translate it "wind" (Ec 1:6; Joh 3:8). bones ... grow--(Job 10:8, 9; Psa 139:15, 16). knowest not the works of God--(Ec 3:11; 8:17; 9:12).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 11:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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