Ecclesiastes 3:20
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּ֥ל
H3605
הַכֹּ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הוֹלֵ֖ךְ
All go
H1980
הוֹלֵ֖ךְ
All go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מָק֣וֹם
place
H4725
מָק֣וֹם
place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֶחָ֑ד
unto one
H259
אֶחָ֑ד
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הַכֹּל֙
H3605
הַכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הֶעָפָֽר׃
all are of the dust
H6083
הֶעָפָֽר׃
all are of the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
9 of 13
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
וְהַכֹּ֖ל
H3605
וְהַכֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.Job 34:15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.Psalms 104:29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.Job 7:9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.Ecclesiastes 6:6Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
Historical Context
Ancient Israelites understood Sheol as a shadowy underworld where all the dead gathered, regardless of righteousness—a concept refined only gradually through progressive revelation, culminating in Jesus's teaching about heaven and hell.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meditating on the dust-to-dust reality guard against both materialism and self-righteousness?
- In what ways does the Gospel transform this Genesis 3 curse into Romans 8 hope?
- How should the certainty of physical death affect daily decision-making and eternal investments?
Analysis & Commentary
All go unto one place (הַכֹּל הוֹלֵךְ אֶל־מָקוֹם אֶחָד, hakol holekh el-maqom echad)—Sheol, the realm of the dead, or simply the grave. All are of the dust, and all turn to dust again directly echoes God's curse in Genesis 3:19 (עָפָר אַתָּה וְאֶל־עָפָר תָּשׁוּב, afar attah ve'el-afar tashuv—'dust you are, and to dust you shall return').
This verse couldn't be clearer in its memento mori force—death is the great equalizer, returning all flesh to its elemental origin. Theologically, this underscores humanity's fallen condition: death wasn't original to creation but entered through sin. Yet Qoheleth observes only the physical reality, not yet revealing the resurrection hope. The 'one place' of death awaits all, making earthly distinctions temporary and demanding we seek permanence beyond mortality. As Job declared (19:26), redemption must come from God alone, since dust cannot save itself.