Ecclesiastes 3:14

Ecclesiastes 3:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
• New International Version (NIV)I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Context of Ecclesiastes 3:14

12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; 13and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor can anything be taken from it, for God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God]. 15That which is has already been, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by [so that history repeats itself]. 16Moreover, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 word by word

יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֠י כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה הָאֱלֹהִים֙ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶ֣ה לְעוֹלָ֔ם עָלָיו֙ אֵ֣ין לְהוֹסִ֔יף וּמִמֶּ֖נּוּ אֵ֣ין לִגְרֹ֑עַ וְהָאֱלֹהִ֣ים עָשָׂ֔ה שֶׁיִּֽרְא֖וּ מִלְּפָנָֽיו׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• that, whatsoever Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• doethעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• it shall be for everעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
• nothingאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
• can be putיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• to it, nor any thing takenגָּרַעgâra‛ · diminishH1639
• should fearיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:14

• Psalms 33:11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The thoughts and plans of His heart through all generations.
• Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands [securely].
• Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, And from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’
• Daniel 4:34“But at the end of the days [that is, at the seven periods of time], I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding and reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High [God] and I praised and honored and glorified Him who lives forever, For His dominion is an everlasting dominion; And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
• Acts 2:23this Man, when handed over [to the Roman authorities] according to the predetermined decision and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross and put to death by the hands of lawless and godless men.
• Acts 4:28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined [before the creation of the world] to occur [and so without knowing it, they served Your own purpose].
• Romans 11:36For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
• Ephesians 3:11This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
• James 1:17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].
• Psalms 76:10For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will clothe and arm Yourself.
• Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).
• Proverbs 21:30There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words, Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.
• Acts 5:39but if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”
• Psalms 64:9Then all men will fear [God’s judgment]; They will declare the work of God, And they will consider and wisely acknowledge what He has done.
• Isaiah 59:18As their deeds deserve, so He will repay: Wrath to His adversaries, retribution to His enemies; To the islands and coastlands He will repay.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever - לעולם leolam, for eternity; in reference to that grand consummation of men and things intimated in Ecclesiastes 3:11. God has produced no being that he intends ultimately to destroy. He made every thing in reference to eternity; and, however matter may be changed and refined, animal and intellectual beings shall not be deprived of their existence. The brute creation shall be restored, and all human…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14The last clause of this verse goes beyond a declaration of the fact of God‘s government of the world Ecclesiastes 2:26 by adding the moral effect which that fact is calculated to produce on those who see it. It is the first indication of the practical conclusion Ecclesiastes 12:13 of the book.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Understanding that God's actions are final is a reason to respect and trust him. We should honor and value all that he does.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (1Sa 3:12; 2Sa 23:5; Psa 89:34; Mt 24:35; Jas 1:17). for ever--as opposed to man's perishing labors (Ec 2:15-18). any thing taken from it--opposed to man's "crooked and wanting" works (Ec 1:15; 7:13). The event of man's labors depends wholly on God's immutable purpose. Man's part, therefore, is to do and enjoy every earthly thing in its proper season (Ec 3:12, 13), not setting aside God's order, but observing deep reverence towards God; for the…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 3:14

• Fear of God
• God
• God Continued...

In the dictionaries

• God
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• Dance
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Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings