Ecclesiastes 3:11

Authorized King James Version

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He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Original Language Analysis

אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּ֥ל H3605
הַכֹּ֥ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עָשָׂ֥ה He hath made H6213
עָשָׂ֥ה He hath made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 3 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יָפֶ֣ה every thing beautiful H3303
יָפֶ֣ה every thing beautiful
Strong's: H3303
Word #: 4 of 23
beautiful (literally or figuratively)
בְעִתּ֑וֹ in his time H6256
בְעִתּ֑וֹ in his time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 5 of 23
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
גַּ֤ם H1571
גַּ֤ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 6 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעֹלָם֙ the world H5769
הָעֹלָם֙ the world
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 8 of 23
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
נָתַ֣ן also he hath set H5414
נָתַ֣ן also he hath set
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 9 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּלִבָּ֔ם in their heart H3820
בְּלִבָּ֔ם in their heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 10 of 23
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
מִבְּלִ֞י so that H1097
מִבְּלִ֞י so that
Strong's: H1097
Word #: 11 of 23
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
אֲשֶׁ֧ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמְצָ֣א can find out H4672
יִמְצָ֣א can find out
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 14 of 23
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הָאָדָ֗ם no man H120
הָאָדָ֗ם no man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 15 of 23
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֛ה the work H4639
הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֛ה the work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 17 of 23
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֥ה He hath made H6213
עָשָׂ֥ה He hath made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 19 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים that God H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים that God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 20 of 23
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
מֵרֹ֥אשׁ from the beginning H7218
מֵרֹ֥אשׁ from the beginning
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 21 of 23
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְעַד H5704
וְעַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 22 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
סֽוֹף׃ to the end H5490
סֽוֹף׃ to the end
Strong's: H5490
Word #: 23 of 23
a termination

Analysis & Commentary

This pivotal verse asserts God's aesthetic providence—'He hath made every thing beautiful in his time' (Hebrew 'yapheh,' beautiful/appropriate). Despite life's apparent chaos catalogued in verses 1-8, divine wisdom orders all experiences toward beauty and purpose. Yet God has also 'set the world in their heart' (Hebrew 'ha-olam,' eternity/world)—giving humans awareness of transcendence while withholding complete understanding of His works 'from beginning to end.' This creates human longing for meaning beyond temporal existence. We glimpse eternity but cannot fully comprehend God's comprehensive purposes, producing both humble faith and reverent mystery before divine sovereignty.

Historical Context

The Hebrew 'olam' (world/eternity) carries rich theological freight in Jewish thought—it denotes both spatial extent (the world) and temporal duration (eternity/ages). Ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions lacked Israel's concept of a transcendent God who orders time purposefully toward redemptive goals. This verse anticipates the New Testament revelation that God's eternal purposes, hidden for ages, are revealed in Christ (Ephesians 3:9-11). Augustine's 'Confessions' famously explored this verse: humans are restless until they find rest in God because He has placed eternity in their hearts while they exist in time.

Questions for Reflection