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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts,.... Aben Ezra says this verse is according to the thoughts of the children of men that are not wise; but rather the wise man says what he does according to his own thoughts, and proceeds to prove the likeness and equality of men and beasts; even one thing befalleth them; the same events belong to one as to another; the same diseases and disasters, calamities and distresses: Noah's

flood carried away one as well as another; they both perished in it; several of the plagues of Egypt were inflicted on both; and both are beholden to God for their health, preservation, and safety; see Gen 7:21 ; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; the Targum compares a wicked man and an unclean beast together, in the former clause; and paraphrases this after this manner, "as an unclean beast dies, so dies he who is not turned to repentance before his death:'' he dies unclean in his sins, stupid, senseless; no more thoughtful of his future state, and of what will become of his precious and immortal soul, than a beast that has none; see Psa 49:14 ; perhaps unjust judges, persecuting tyrants, may particularly be regarded: who, though princes, shall not only die like men, but even like beasts, Psa 82:7 ; yea, they have all one breath; the same vital breath, or breath of life, which is in the nostrils of the one as of the other; they breathe and draw in the same air, and have the same animal and vegetative life, and equally liable to lose it, Gen 2:7 ; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: he has reason and speech, which a beast has not; which gives him a preference to them, did he make a right use of them; but, as an animal, he has no preeminence, being liable to the same accidents, and to death itself: the Targum excepts the house of the grave, man being usually buried when he dies, but a beast is not: yea, in some things a beast has the preeminence of a man; at least some have, in strength, agility, quickness of the senses, &c. for all is vanity; all the gratifications of the senses; all riches, honours, pleasures, power, and authority, especially when abused.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (24 words)

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H4745 מִקְרֶה
Definition:

9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9 9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9

Possible Meanings:
  • coolness (semantic_range)
H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H4745 מִקְרֶה
Definition:

9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9 9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9

Possible Meanings:
  • coolness (semantic_range)
H0929 בְּהֵמָה
Definition:

24137t.; constructבֶּהֱמַתNumbers 3:41(twice in verse) + 10 t.; suffixבְּהֶמְתְּךָLeviticus 19:194t.;בְּהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָExodus 20:104t.;בְּהֶמְתּוֺGenesis 36:6;Proverbs 12:10; plural absoluteבְּהֵמוֺתDeuter 24137t.; constructבֶּהֱמַתNumbers 3:41(twice in verse) + 10 t.; suffixבְּהֶמְתְּךָLeviticus 19:194t.;בְּהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָExodus 20:104t.;בְּהֶמְתּוֺGenesis 36:6;Proverbs 12:10; plural absoluteבְּהֵמוֺתDeuter

Possible Meanings:
  • beast (semantic_range)
  • animal (semantic_range)
  • cattle (semantic_range)
  • wild beasts (semantic_range)
H4745 מִקְרֶה
Definition:

9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9 9accident, chance, fortune; — absolute׳מ1 Samuel 6:9+; constructמִקְרֵהEcclesiastes 2:15(so read alsoEcclesiastes 3:19(twice in verse) withᵐ5RuëtKauWild, forᵑ0מִקְרֶה); —1accident, chance,1 Samuel 6:9

Possible Meanings:
  • coolness (semantic_range)
H0259 אֶחָד
Definition:

5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ 5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ

Possible Meanings:
  • one (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • each (semantic_range)
  • every (semantic_range)
  • a certain (semantic_range)
H4194 מָוֶת
Definition:

17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed 17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed

H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H4194 מָוֶת
Definition:

17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed 17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed

H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H7307 רוּחַ
Definition:

8(less oftenmasculineExodus 10:13+)breath, wind, spirit; — absolute׳רGenesis 8:1+,ר֑וּחָהJeremiah 52:23; constructרוּחַGenesis 6:17+; suffixרוּחִיGenesis 6:3+,רוּחֲךָPsalm 104:30+, etc.; pluralרוּחוֺת 8(less oftenmasculineExodus 10:13+)breath, wind, spirit; — absolute׳רGenesis 8:1+,ר֑וּחָהJeremiah 52:23; constructרוּחַGenesis 6:17+; suffixרוּחִיGenesis 6:3+,רוּחֲךָPsalm 104:30+, etc.; pluralרוּחוֺת

H0259 אֶחָד
Definition:

5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ 5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ

Possible Meanings:
  • one (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • each (semantic_range)
  • every (semantic_range)
  • a certain (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H4195 מוֹתָר
Definition:

23describes the benefit that honest work yields: “There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”2.Proverbs 21:5links careful planning with the same outcome: “The plans of the dili 23describes the benefit that honest work yields: “There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”2.Proverbs 21:5links careful planning with the same outcome: “The plans of the dili

Possible Meanings:
  • abundance (semantic_range)
  • pre-eminence (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H0929 בְּהֵמָה
Definition:

24137t.; constructבֶּהֱמַתNumbers 3:41(twice in verse) + 10 t.; suffixבְּהֶמְתְּךָLeviticus 19:194t.;בְּהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָExodus 20:104t.;בְּהֶמְתּוֺGenesis 36:6;Proverbs 12:10; plural absoluteבְּהֵמוֺתDeuter 24137t.; constructבֶּהֱמַתNumbers 3:41(twice in verse) + 10 t.; suffixבְּהֶמְתְּךָLeviticus 19:194t.;בְּהֶמְתֶּ֑ךָExodus 20:104t.;בְּהֶמְתּוֺGenesis 36:6;Proverbs 12:10; plural absoluteבְּהֵמוֺתDeuter

Possible Meanings:
  • beast (semantic_range)
  • animal (semantic_range)
  • cattle (semantic_range)
  • wild beasts (semantic_range)
H0369 אַיִן
Definition:

23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr 23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr

Possible Meanings:
  • nought (semantic_range)
  • is not (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H1892 הֶבֶל
Definition:

2+; constructהֲבֵלEcclesiastes 1:2(twice in verse);Ecclesiastes 12:8, suffixהֶבְלִיetc.Ecclesiastes 6:12;Ecclesiastes 7:15;Ecclesiastes 9:9(twice in verse); pluralהֲבָלִיםJeremiah 10:8+; constructהַבְ 2+; constructהֲבֵלEcclesiastes 1:2(twice in verse);Ecclesiastes 12:8, suffixהֶבְלִיetc.Ecclesiastes 6:12;Ecclesiastes 7:15;Ecclesiastes 9:9(twice in verse); pluralהֲבָלִיםJeremiah 10:8+; constructהַבְ

Possible Meanings:
  • act emptily (semantic_range)
  • become vain (semantic_range)
  • became vain (semantic_range)
  • cause to become vain (semantic_range)

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