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 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. I 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. 15Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past. 16I saw something else on earth: In the place of justice, there was wickedness, and in the place of fairness, there was 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 Lord’s decisions stand forever; his plans abide throughout the ages.
• Psalms 119:90You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. You established the earth and it stood firm.
• Isaiah 46:10who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,’
• Daniel 4:34But at the end of the appointed time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me. I extolled the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever. For his authority is an everlasting authority, and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.
• Acts 2:23this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by nailing him to a cross at the hands of Gentiles.
• Acts 4:28to do as much as your power and your plan had decided beforehand would happen.
• Romans 11:36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.
• Ephesians 3:11This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
• James 1:17All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
• Psalms 76:10Certainly your angry judgment upon men will bring you praise; you reveal your anger in full measure.
• Proverbs 19:21There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand.
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the Lord.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar.
• Acts 5:39but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.” He convinced them,
• Psalms 64:9and all people will fear. They will proclaim what God has done, and reflect on his deeds.
• Isaiah 59:18He repays them for what they have done, dispensing angry judgment to his adversaries and punishing his enemies. He repays 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