Ecclesiastes 11:5

What does Ecclesiastes 11:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 11:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

As thou knowest not what <FI>is<Fi> the way of the spirit, How--bones in the womb of the full one, So thou knowest not the work of God who maketh the whole.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones are joined together in the womb of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the works of God, who is the maker of all.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, how the bones [grow] in the womb of her that is with child, even so thou knowest not the work ofGod who maketh all.

Context

v.4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

v.5This passage

v.6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 38:4

    Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:24

    That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

  • Ecclesiastes 8:17

    then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

  • Psalms 40:5

    Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

  • Isaiah 40:28

    Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding.

  • Psalms 139:13

    For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb.

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