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Ecclesiastes 12:7

Death and lossEternal lifeCreationGod's presence

5 when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels— for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.

6 Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,

before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8 “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
KJV
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
WEB
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
ASV
and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.
DARBY
and the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God who gave it.
BLB
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
ÅB
og støvet vender tilbake til jorden og blir som det var før, og ånden vender tilbake til Gud, som gav den.
OTB
og støvet vender tilbake til jorden som det var, og ånden går tilbake til Gud som ga den.
B1930
og støvet vender tilbake til jorden og blir som det var før, og ånden vender tilbake til Gud, som gav den.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

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  • Ecclesiastes 3:20–21

    All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 146:4

    When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 3:19

    By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

    Read in context

  • Job 34:14–15

    If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

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  • Zechariah 12:1

    This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

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  • Isaiah 57:16

    For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.

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  • Genesis 2:7

    Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

    Read in context