Ecclesiastes 3:21

Read in context

Ecclesiastes 3:19–22 · Berean Standard Bible

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.

21 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?

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

Study Ecclesiastes 3:21

Read the commentary on Ecclesiastes 3

Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

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

Luke 16:22

One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.

Luke 16:23

In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

John 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.

Acts 1:25

to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”

2 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.

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23

I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.