Devine Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:18

What does Ecclesiastes 3:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ecclesiastes 3:18 means

The Preacher reflects further on the human condition in the face of judgment and mortality, contemplating that God allows certain experiences "because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts." This stark assessment suggests that God permits challenging circumstances, including shared mortality with animals, to humble humanity. It serves as a reminder of our vulnerability, our earthly limitations, and our shared physical nature with the animal kingdom, stripping away human pride or self-exaltation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I said in my heart, It isbecause of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I said in my heart, It isbecause of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, so that God may put them to the test and that they may see themselves as beasts.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I said in my heart concerning the matter of the sons of man that God might cleanse them, so as to see that they themselves <FI>are<Fi> beasts.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I said in my heart, It is thus with the children of men, thatGod may prove them, and that they should see that they themselves are but beasts.

Context

Following the assertion of divine judgment in verse 17, this verse delves into the *reasoning* behind God's allowance of human frailty and the presence of wickedness. It connects these experiences to God's purpose in humbling humanity, leading directly into the detailed comparison of human and beast mortality in verse 19. This frame helps the reader understand the Preacher's seemingly bleak observations about death not as despair, but as a theological tool for perspective.

v.17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

v.18This passage

v.19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity.

Cross references

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

  • Job 14:1

    Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.

  • Romans 9:23

    and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,

  • Psalms 49:12

    But man being in honor abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish.

  • Romans 3:4

    God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

  • Psalms 90:5

    Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: In the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

  • Psalms 73:18

    Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

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