Ecclesiastes 3:21
19 For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile.
20 All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.
Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth?
22 I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth?
- KJV
- Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
- WEB
- Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”
- ASV
- Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?
- DARBY
- Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?
- BLB
- Who knows [if] the spirit of the sons of man, it is ascending upward, and the spirit of the beast, it is desending downward into the earth?
- ÅB
- Hvem vet om menneskenes ånd stiger opp, og om dyrets ånd farer ned til jorden?
- OTB
- Hvem kan avgjøre om menneskets ånd stiger oppover og om dyrets ånd går ned i jorden?
- B1930
- Hvem vet om menneskenes ånd stiger op, og om dyrets ånd farer ned til jorden?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 12:7
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Read in contextJohn 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
Read in context2 Corinthians 5:1
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Read in contextLuke 16:22–23
One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.
Read in contextPhilippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Read in context2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Read in contextActs 1:25
to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
Read in context