Ecclesiastes 3:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
H4745
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
Strong's:
H4745
Word #:
2 of 25
something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune
בְֽנֵי
the sons
H1121
בְֽנֵי
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָאָדָ֤ם
of men
H120
הָאָדָ֤ם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
H4745
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
Strong's:
H4745
Word #:
5 of 25
something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune
הַבְּהֵמָה֙
above a beast
H929
הַבְּהֵמָה֙
above a beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
H4745
וּמִקְרֶ֤ה
For that which befalleth
Strong's:
H4745
Word #:
7 of 25
something met with, i.e., an accident or fortune
אֶחָ֖ד
even one thing
H259
אֶחָ֖ד
even one thing
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מ֣וֹת
so dieth
H4194
מ֣וֹת
so dieth
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
10 of 25
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
12 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
מ֣וֹת
so dieth
H4194
מ֣וֹת
so dieth
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
13 of 25
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
וְר֥וּחַ
breath
H7307
וְר֥וּחַ
breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
15 of 25
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֶחָ֖ד
even one thing
H259
אֶחָ֖ד
even one thing
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לַכֹּ֑ל
H3605
לַכֹּ֑ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמוֹתַ֨ר
hath no preeminence
H4195
וּמוֹתַ֨ר
hath no preeminence
Strong's:
H4195
Word #:
18 of 25
literally gain; figuratively, superiority
הָאָדָ֤ם
of men
H120
הָאָדָ֤ם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
19 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַבְּהֵמָה֙
above a beast
H929
הַבְּהֵמָה֙
above a beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
אָ֔יִן
H369
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the New Testament doctrine of resurrection transform this 'under the sun' despair?
- What legitimate warning does this verse give against purely materialistic thinking about human worth?
- How should the reality of shared mortality affect our treatment of animals and creation stewardship?
Analysis & 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.