Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. New Living Translation For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. English Standard Version and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Berean Standard Bible before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. King James Bible Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. New King James Version Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. New American Standard Bible then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. NASB 1995 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. NASB 1977 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Legacy Standard Bible then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Amplified Bible then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Christian Standard Bible and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Holman Christian Standard Bible and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” American Standard Version and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it. Contemporary English Version So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God. English Revised Version and the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God who gave it. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then the dust [of mortals] goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it. Good News Translation Our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God, who gave it to us. International Standard Version then man's dust will go back to the earth, returning to what it was, and the spirit will return to the God who gave it. Majority Standard Bible before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. NET Bible and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life's breath returns to God who gave it. New Heart English Bible and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Webster's Bible Translation Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. World English Bible and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the dust returns to the earth as it was, "" And the spirit returns to God who gave it. Young's Literal Translation And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, And the spirit returneth to God who gave it. Smith's Literal Translation And the dust shall turn back to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall turn back to God who gave it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it. Catholic Public Domain Version and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it. New American Bible And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it. New Revised Standard Version and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the dust shall return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the dust will return to Earth like it was and the spirit will return to LORD JEHOVAH who gave it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, And the spirit returneth unto God who gave it. Brenton Septuagint Translation before the dust also return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return to God who gave it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Remember Your Creator…6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well, 7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”… Cross References Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Job 34:14-15 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, / all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. Psalm 104:29-30 When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. / When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth. Isaiah 42:5 This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it: Isaiah 57:16 For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made. Zechariah 12:1 This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him: Romans 8:10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. / As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. / And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, / because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ... 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Philippians 1:23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? Treasury of Scripture Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. dust Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Genesis 3:19 In 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. Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: the spirit Ecclesiastes 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? God Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? Numbers 27:16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Jump to Previous Dust Earth Goes Ground Returneth Returns SpiritJump to Next Dust Earth Goes Ground Returneth Returns SpiritEcclesiastes 12 1. the Creator is to be remembered in due time8. The preacher's care to edify 13. the fear of God is the chief antidote for vanity before the dust returns to the ground from which it came This phrase reflects the biblical understanding of human mortality and creation. It echoes Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from the dust of the ground, highlighting the transient nature of human life. The imagery of dust signifies the physical body, which is temporary and subject to decay. This concept is reinforced in Genesis 3:19, where God tells Adam, "for dust you are and to dust you will return," as a consequence of sin. The phrase underscores the inevitability of death and the return of the physical body to the earth, emphasizing the humility and frailty of human existence. It serves as a reminder of the creation narrative and the fall, pointing to the need for redemption and the hope of resurrection. and the spirit returns to God who gave it Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. 2. God - The Creator who gives life and to whom the spirit returns after death, emphasizing His sovereignty over life and death. 3. The Earth - Represents the physical realm from which human bodies are formed, highlighting the transient nature of physical life. 4. The Spirit - The immaterial part of a person that returns to God, indicating the eternal aspect of human existence. 5. Creation - The event where God formed man from the dust, as referenced in Genesis, establishing the origin of human life. Teaching Points The Transience of LifeRecognize the temporary nature of our physical existence and the certainty of death. This awareness should lead us to live purposefully and with an eternal perspective. The Sovereignty of God Acknowledge God's ultimate authority over life and death. Our lives are in His hands, and we should trust in His plan and timing. The Eternal Nature of the Spirit Understand that while our bodies return to dust, our spirits are eternal and accountable to God. This should influence how we live our lives, focusing on spiritual growth and readiness to meet God. Living with Purpose Given the certainty of returning to God, we should live with intentionality, seeking to fulfill God's purposes for our lives and investing in what has eternal value. Hope Beyond Death For believers, the return of the spirit to God is a hopeful transition to eternal life with Him. This hope should provide comfort and motivation to live faithfully.(7) The preacher has risen above the doubts of Ecclesiastes 3:21. (See also Genesis 3:19.)Verse 7. - Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; rather, and the dust return, etc. - the sentence begun above being still carried on to the end of the verse. Here we are told what becomes of the complex man at death, and are thus led to the explanation of the allegorical language used throughout. Without metaphor now it is stated that the material body, when life is extinct, returns to that matter out of which it was originally made (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; comp. Job 34:15; Psalm 104:29). So Siracides calls man "dust and ashes," and asserts that all things that are of the earth turn to the earth again (Ecclus. 10:9 Ecclus. 40:11). Soph., 'Electra,' 1158 - Ἀντὶ φιλτάτης`ΝΛ´Μορφῆς σποδόν τε καὶ σκιὰν ἀνωφελῆ "Instead of thy dear form, Hebrew [before] the dustהֶעָפָ֛ר (he·‘ā·p̄ār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud returns וְיָשֹׁ֧ב (wə·yā·šōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the ground הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land from which it came, כְּשֶׁהָיָ֑ה (kə·še·hā·yāh) Preposition-k, Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be and the spirit וְהָר֣וּחַ (wə·hā·rū·aḥ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit returns תָּשׁ֔וּב (tā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to God הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that gave it. נְתָנָֽהּ׃ (nə·ṯā·nāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set Links Ecclesiastes 12:7 NIVEcclesiastes 12:7 NLT Ecclesiastes 12:7 ESV Ecclesiastes 12:7 NASB Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV Ecclesiastes 12:7 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 12:7 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 12:7 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 12:7 French Bible Ecclesiastes 12:7 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12:7 And the dust returns to the earth (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
    |