Ecclesiastes 3:12

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
• New International Version (NIV)I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
• New King James Version (NKJV)I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

Context of Ecclesiastes 3:12

10I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 11He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. 13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. 14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 word by word

יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין ט֖וֹב בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י אִם־לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַ וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ט֖וֹב בְּחַיָּֽיו׃Read the interlinear

• knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• nothingאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• rejoiceשָׂמַחώâmach · to rejoiceH8055

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:12

• Ecclesiastes 3:22Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him back to see what shall be after him?
• Ecclesiastes 9:7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
• Deuteronomy 28:63And it shall come to pass, that, as Jehovah rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Jehovah will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest in to possess it.
• Psalms 37:3Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed onhisfaithfulness.
• Isaiah 64:5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in them have we been of long time; and shall we be saved?
• Luke 11:41But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
• Acts 20:35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.
• 1 Timothy 6:18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12I know that there is no good in them, but, etc. - Since God has so disposed the affairs of this world, that the great events of providence cannot be accelerated or retarded by human cares and anxieties, submit to God; make a proper use of what he has given: do thyself no harm, and endeavor as much as possible to do others good. Enjoy, and bless thyself; let others share The transient blessing: 'tis the gift of God.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12In them - i. e., in the sons of men. To do good - In a moral sense. Physical enjoyment is referred to in Ecclesiastes 3:13.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. 12-13rejoice and do good while they live: Even though life and work can be hard, the Teacher's conclusion (repeated from Ecclesiastes 2:24) can still be true.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. in them--in God's works (Ec 3:11), as far as relates to man's duty. Man cannot fully comprehend them, but he ought joyfully to receive ("rejoice in") God's gifts, and "do good" with them to himself and to others. This is never out of season (Ga 6:9, 10). Not sensual joy and self-indulgence (Php 4:4; Jas 4:16, 17).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 3:12

• Contentment
• Happiness

In the dictionaries

• Dance
• Judge
• Life
• Nothing
• Providence
• Synagogue, the Great

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