King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 3:19 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 3:19 in the King James Version says “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For 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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes 3:19 · KJV

Context

17

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18

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. that God: or, that they might clear God, and see, etc

19

For 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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? of man: Heb. of the sons of man goeth upward: Heb. is ascending, etc

Read Ecclesiastes 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For that which befalleth (מִקְרֶה, miqreh)—'happening' or 'fate,' used repeatedly to emphasize the common destiny. They have all one breath (רוּחַ אֶחָד, ruach echad)—the same animating life-force, from ruach meaning 'spirit,' 'wind,' or 'breath.' No preeminence (מוֹתַר, motar)—'advantage' or 'profit,' one of Ecclesiastes' key terms questioning earthly gain.

Qoheleth radically levels human and animal existence at the biological plane—both die, both return to dust, both possess ruach as mere breath. This isn't denying the imago Dei but demonstrating that from an earthly, materialistic viewpoint, death erases distinctions. For all is vanity (הַכֹּל הָבֶל, hakol havel)—'all is vapor,' the book's signature phrase. Paul later echoes this reality (Romans 8:20-21) while pointing to resurrection hope as the answer to this 'under the sun' futility.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This reflects the Old Testament's limited revelation of afterlife before Christ's resurrection illuminated immortality (2 Timothy 1:10). The Preacher writes from observation alone, creating existential tension resolved only in the Gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the New Testament doctrine of resurrection transform this 'under the sun' despair?
  2. What legitimate warning does this verse give against purely materialistic thinking about human worth?
  3. How should the reality of shared mortality affect our treatment of animals and creation stewardship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּי֩1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וּמִקְרֶ֤ה2 of 25

“For that which befalleth”

H4745

something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune

בְֽנֵי3 of 25

“the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָאָדָ֤ם4 of 25

“of men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּמִקְרֶ֤ה5 of 25

“For that which befalleth”

H4745

something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune

הַבְּהֵמָה֙6 of 25

“above a beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וּמִקְרֶ֤ה7 of 25

“For that which befalleth”

H4745

something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune

אֶחָ֖ד8 of 25

“even one thing”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לָהֶ֔ם9 of 25
H0
מ֣וֹת10 of 25

“so dieth”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

זֶ֔ה11 of 25

“the other”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כֵּ֣ן12 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

מ֣וֹת13 of 25

“so dieth”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

זֶ֔ה14 of 25

“the other”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְר֥וּחַ15 of 25

“breath”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

אֶחָ֖ד16 of 25

“even one thing”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַכֹּ֑ל17 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וּמוֹתַ֨ר18 of 25

“hath no preeminence”

H4195

literally gain; figuratively, superiority

הָאָדָ֤ם19 of 25

“of men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

מִן20 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבְּהֵמָה֙21 of 25

“above a beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

אָ֔יִן22 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כִּ֥י23 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַכֹּ֖ל24 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽבֶל׃25 of 25

“for all is vanity”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 3:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 49:12Psalms 49:20Job 14:10-12Psalms 89:47-48Psalms 39:5-6Ecclesiastes 2:20-23

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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