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 realize that there’s nothing better for them to do than to be cheerful and enjoy what is good in their lives. 13It is a gift from God to be able to eat and drink and experience the good that comes from every kind of hard work. I realize that whatever God does will last forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing can be taken away from it. God does this so that people will fear him. 15Whatever has happened ⌞in the past⌟ is present now. Whatever is going to happen ⌞in the future⌟ has already happened ⌞in the past⌟. God will call the past to account. 16I saw something else under the sun: There is wickedness where justice should be found. There is wickedness where righteousness should be found.

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 Lord’s plan stands firm forever. His thoughts stand firm in every generation.
• Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness endures throughout every generation. You set the earth in place, and it continues to stand.
• Isaiah 46:10From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.”
• Daniel 4:34At the end of the seven time periods, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my mind came back to me. I thanked the Most High, and I praised and honored the one who lives forever, because his power lasts forever and his kingdom lasts from one generation to the next.
• Acts 2:23By using men who don’t acknowledge Moses’ Teachings, you crucified Jesus, who was given over ⌞to death⌟ by a plan that God had determined in advance.
• Acts 4:28Through your will and power, they did everything that you had already decided should be done.
• Romans 11:36Everything is from him and by him and for him. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen!
• Ephesians 3:11This was God’s plan for all of history which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
• James 1:17Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
• Psalms 76:10Even angry mortals will praise you. You will wear the remainder of ⌞their⌟ anger.
• Proverbs 19:21Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of the Lord will endure.
• Proverbs 21:30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice ⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to his words, or he will reprimand you, and you will be found to be a liar.
• Acts 5:39However, if it’s from God, you won’t be able to stop them. You may even discover that you’re fighting against God.”
• Psalms 64:9Everyone will be afraid and conclude, “This is an act of God!” They will learn from what he has done.
• Isaiah 59:18He will pay them back according to their deeds. He will pay back his opponents with wrath and punish his enemies. He will pay back the people who live on the coastlands.

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
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In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Dance
• Judge
• 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