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 observed the burden that God has given to people to keep them occupied. 11God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives. I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, 13and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God. 14I also know that whatever God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken away from it. God has made it this way, so that men will fear him.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• I knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• no goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to rejoiceשָׂמַחώâmach · to rejoiceH8055
• and to doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• in his lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:12

• Ecclesiastes 3:22So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?
• Ecclesiastes 9:7Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.
• Deuteronomy 28:63This is what will happen: Just as the Lord delighted to do good for you and make you numerous, he will take delight in destroying and decimating you. You will be uprooted from the land you are about to possess.
• Psalms 37:3Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!
• Isaiah 64:5You assist those who delight in doing what is right, who observe your commandments. Look, you were angry because we violated them continually. How then can we be saved?
• Luke 11:41But give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you.
• Acts 20:35By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and 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 say, rejoice!
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.

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