Ecclesiastes 3:15
What does Ecclesiastes 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ecclesiastes 3:15 means
This verse speaks to the continuity and cyclical nature of history from God's eternal perspective: "That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been." It reiterates the idea that there is nothing truly new "under the sun," suggesting a predetermined pattern to creation and events. The challenging phrase, "and God seeketh again that which is passed away," implies that God actively restores or reasserts that which seems lost or forgotten through time, perhaps hinting at His unchanging purposes across generations or His justice for past wrongs. It may also mean that God calls men to account for the past.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whatever is has been before, and what is to be is now; because God makes search for the things which are past.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What is that which hath been? already it is, and that which <FI>is<Fi> to be hath already been, and God requireth that which is pursued.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; andGod bringeth back again that which is past.
Context
Following the declaration of God's eternal and unchangeable works in verse 14, this verse elaborates on the historical implications of that truth. It reinforces the idea of divine permanence and cyclical history, moving from God's nature to His ongoing engagement with time. This profound statement about the past and future sets the stage for the Preacher's observations about wickedness and justice, which immediately follow in verse 16.
v.14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.
v.15This passage
v.16And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9
That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
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