Ecclesiastes 3:20
What does Ecclesiastes 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ecclesiastes 3:20 means
Reinforcing the somber reality of shared mortality, this verse states plainly: "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." It reiterates the common destination of all living creatures—the grave and the eventual disintegration back into basic elements. This powerful declaration underscores not only the physical end of all life but also the humble origin of both humans and animals from the earth. It is a reminder of our transient, physical nature when viewed "under the sun."
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
KJV
King James Version · 1611All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949All go to one place, all are of the dust, and all will be turned to dust again.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back unto the dust.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all return to dust.
Context
This verse powerfully reiterates and summarizes the conclusion drawn in the previous verse (19) regarding the shared fate of humans and beasts. It serves as a stark, undeniable confirmation of universal mortality and our earthly origins. This sets up the critical question in verse 21, which introduces the spiritual dimension, directly challenging the purely material perspective presented here and pushing the reader to consider what truly distinguishes humanity.
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.
v.20This passage
v.21Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 25:17
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.
- Job 10:9
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?
- Job 17:13
If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;
- Ecclesiastes 3:21
Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?
- Numbers 27:13
And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered;
- Ecclesiastes 6:6
yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?
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