Ecclesiastes 3:21
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יוֹדֵ֗עַ
Who knoweth
H3045
יוֹדֵ֗עַ
Who knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
H7307
וְר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 14
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
בְּנֵ֣י
of man
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of man
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָאָדָ֔ם
H120
הָאָדָ֔ם
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הָעֹלָ֥ה
that goeth
H5927
הָעֹלָ֥ה
that goeth
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְמָ֑עְלָה
upward
H4605
לְמָ֑עְלָה
upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
8 of 14
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וְר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
H7307
וְר֙וּחַ֙
and the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
9 of 14
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
of the beast
H929
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
of the beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
הַיֹּרֶ֥דֶת
that goeth
H3381
הַיֹּרֶ֥דֶת
that goeth
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
11 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.Philippians 1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Historical Context
Pre-exilic Israelite theology contained limited clarity about afterlife distinctions. Daniel 12:2 and later intertestamental literature developed these concepts, but Ecclesiastes reflects earlier, more opaque understanding—intentionally highlighting limits of earthly wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the New Testament's clear teaching on resurrection and judgment resolve Qoheleth's uncertainty?
- What does this verse teach about the limits of natural theology versus special revelation?
- How should confidence in human immortality (based on Scripture) affect your daily choices?
Analysis & Commentary
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward (רוּחַ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם הָעֹלָה, ruach benei ha'adam ha'olah)—a rhetorical question expressing uncertainty about different eternal destinies for humans versus animals. The verb 'olah ('ascending') contrasts with yoredeth ('descending'), suggesting directional separation at death. Yet the interrogative mi yodea ('who knows?') introduces epistemological doubt from an 'under the sun' perspective.
This verse has sparked interpretive debate: Is Qoheleth genuinely uncertain about human afterlife, or is he speaking from the limited viewpoint of natural observation? Reformed interpreters generally view this as the Preacher demonstrating what human wisdom alone cannot discern—the eternal state requires divine revelation. Genesis 2:7 established that God breathed into man the neshamah chayyim (breath of life), making humanity qualitatively different from animals, yet observation alone cannot prove immortality. Only Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) finally answers this ancient question.