Ecclesiastes 11:5
As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Original Language Analysis
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֵֽינְךָ֤
H369
תֵדַע֙
As thou knowest
H3045
תֵדַע֙
As thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
not what is the way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
not what is the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 19
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָר֔וּחַ
of the spirit
H7307
הָר֔וּחַ
of the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
6 of 19
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
כַּעֲצָמִ֖ים
nor how the bones
H6106
כַּעֲצָמִ֖ים
nor how the bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
7 of 19
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
בְּבֶ֣טֶן
do grow in the womb
H990
בְּבֶ֣טֶן
do grow in the womb
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
8 of 19
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
הַמְּלֵאָ֑ה
of her that is with child
H4392
הַמְּלֵאָ֑ה
of her that is with child
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
9 of 19
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
כָּ֗כָה
H3602
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵדַע֙
As thou knowest
H3045
תֵדַע֙
As thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
not the works
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
not the works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
14 of 19
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
who maketh
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
who maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
John 3:8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.Psalms 92:5O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.Ecclesiastes 8:17Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.Psalms 104:24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.Ecclesiastes 7:24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?Psalms 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.Job 5:9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:Job 37:23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
Historical Context
Ancient peoples observed wind patterns and pregnancy but lacked scientific understanding of either. The ruach (wind/spirit) was particularly mysterious—invisible yet powerful, unpredictable yet purposeful. Psalm 139:13-16 similarly marvels at fetal development as God's mysterious work. The verse teaches that if natural processes exceed understanding, divine purposes certainly do. This anticipated Job's experience: God answered Job's questions by asking about creation's mysteries (Job 38-41), teaching that finite humans cannot comprehend infinite wisdom. Jesus used similar logic: if earthly things are mysterious, how much more heavenly realities (John 3:12)? The Reformers emphasized that God's wisdom surpasses human reason, requiring humble faith. Modern science has explained meteorology and embryology, yet deeper mysteries remain—consciousness, quantum mechanics, divine providence.
Questions for Reflection
- What mysteries in God's providence perplex you, and how does this verse counsel humility and trust despite incomplete understanding?
- How does acknowledging limits to human knowledge prevent both arrogant rationalism and anti-intellectual obscurantism?
Analysis & Commentary
The Preacher acknowledges human limitations: 'As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.' The verse employs two mysteries—wind/spirit ('ruach,' רוּחַ, meaning both wind and spirit) and fetal development—to illustrate comprehensive ignorance of God's works. Ancient peoples didn't understand meteorology or embryology; these natural processes remained mysterious. The comparison teaches epistemic humility: if basic natural processes exceed human understanding, how much more do God's comprehensive purposes? This verse anticipates Jesus's teaching to Nicodemus: 'The wind bloweth where it listeth... so is every one that is born of the Spirit' (John 3:8). Spiritual realities transcend human comprehension, requiring faith beyond sight.