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 task that God has given to the children of men to keep them occupied. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Moreover, He has set eternity in their heart—yet without the possibility that humankind can ever discover the work that God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy themselves in their lifetime. 13Also when anyone eats and drinks, and finds satisfaction in all of his labor, it is the gift of God. 14I know that everything that God does will endure forever. There is no adding to it or taking from it. God has made it so, that they will revere 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 that nothing is better than for man to enjoy his works, because that is his portion. For who can bring him back to see what will be in the future?
• Ecclesiastes 9:7Go! Eat your bread with gladness and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already accepted your deeds.
• Deuteronomy 28:63Now just as Adonai rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply you, so Adonai will rejoice over you to ruin and destroy you; and you will be uprooted from the land that you are going in to possess.
• Psalms 37:3Trust in Adonai and do good. Dwell in the land, feed on faithfulness.
• Isaiah 64:5For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a filthy garment, and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away, like the wind.
• Luke 11:41But give as tzadakah those things that are within, and indeed everything is pure to you.
• Acts 20:35In all things I have shown you an object lesson—that by hard work one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua, 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 no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Direct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, sharing,

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