King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 9:3 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 9:3 in the King James Version says “This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of t...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.”

Ecclesiastes 9:3 · KJV

Context

1

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. I considered: Heb. I gave, or, set to my heart

2

All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

3

This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

4

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

5

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Read Ecclesiastes 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all—the Preacher identifies death's universality as 'ra' (רַע, evil/calamity), not morally evil but tragically unfortunate. The fact that righteous and wicked share identical earthly fate appears unjust within temporal perspective. This 'evil' results from the fall—death entered through sin (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12).

The heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead—knowing they will die regardless of moral conduct, people's hearts fill with 'ra'ah' (רָעָה, evil) and 'holelot' (הוֹלֵלוֹת, madness/folly). Death's inevitability either drives people toward God (wise response) or into reckless living (foolish response). The phrase 'achar moto' (אַחֲרָיו אֶל־הַמֵּתִים, after that to the dead) indicates the transition from life to death without specifying post-mortem existence—leaving readers to seek further revelation about judgment and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's historical experience confirmed this observation: wicked kings like Manasseh enjoyed long reigns while righteous kings like Josiah died young in battle (2 Kings 21-23). Such apparent injustices troubled faithful Israelites. The phrase 'heart full of evil' echoes Genesis 6:5 and Jeremiah 17:9, describing humanity's deep-seated wickedness. Post-exilic Judaism developed clearer resurrection theology partly to resolve this tension (Daniel 12:2). Jesus taught extensively about post-mortem judgment (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:19-31), clarifying that death isn't the final event—resurrection and judgment follow. Paul emphasized that physical death's universality stems from Adam's sin, but resurrection's universality comes through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Church fathers like Augustine argued that death's apparent injustice demonstrates humanity's fallen state and need for redemption.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does death's inevitability affect your daily choices—does it produce wisdom (fear of God) or folly (reckless living)?
  2. In what ways does resurrection hope counter the 'madness' that death's universality might otherwise produce?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
זֶ֣ה׀1 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

רָ֨ע2 of 23

“This is an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּכֹ֤ל3 of 23
H3605

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

אֲשֶֽׁר4 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נַעֲשָׂה֙5 of 23

“among all things that are done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תַּ֣חַת6 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ7 of 23

“under the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

כִּֽי8 of 23
H3588

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

מִקְרֶ֥ה9 of 23

“event”

H4745

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

אֶחָ֖ד10 of 23

“that there is one”

H259

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

לַכֹּ֑ל11 of 23
H3605

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

וְגַ֣ם12 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לֵ֣ב13 of 23

“unto all yea also the heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

בְּֽנֵי14 of 23

“of 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

הָ֠אָדָם15 of 23

“of men”

H120

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

מָלֵא16 of 23

“is full”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

רָ֨ע17 of 23

“This is an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְהוֹלֵל֤וֹת18 of 23

“and madness”

H1947

folly

בִּלְבָבָם֙19 of 23

“is in their heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

בְּחַיֵּיהֶ֔ם20 of 23

“while they live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְאַחֲרָ֖יו21 of 23

“and after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֶל22 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֵּתִֽים׃23 of 23

“that they go to the dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 9:3 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 9:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:9Ecclesiastes 8:11Ecclesiastes 1:17Titus 3:3Romans 1:29-31Ecclesiastes 9:2

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