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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.

Context of Ecclesiastes 3:14

12I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 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. 15Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. 16And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

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 33:11But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
• Psalms 119:90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
• Isaiah 46:10I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
• Daniel 4:34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
• Acts 2:23This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
• Acts 4:28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
• Romans 11:36For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
• Ephesians 3:11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
• Psalms 76:10Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
• Proverbs 19:21Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
• Acts 5:39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
• Psalms 64:9All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
• Isaiah 59:18According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.

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