Ecclesiastes 12:7

Translations

Modern

…before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Traditional

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Literal

…and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Latin

…et revertatur pulvis in terram suam unde erat, et spiritus redeat ad Deum, qui dedit illum.

Original

Hebrew

English

…before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 12:7

dust returns to the ground: See Genesis 2:7; 3:19.
The idea that the spirit will return to God who gave it suggests a belief in an afterlife (compare Ecclesiastes 3:21; see “The Afterlife” Theme Note).

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7

This beautiful prose poem, rich with Hebrew metaphors, describes the painful decline that comes with aging. It continues from Ecclesiastes 11:7–10.

Theme notes and profiles

Death Remember Him The Creator-King

Related verses

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Ecclesiastes 3:20–21
All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.
Psalm 146:4
When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.
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,
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:
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.
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.
Numbers 16:22
But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
Job 20:11
The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.
Numbers 27:16
“May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation
Psalm 90:3
You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Afterlife Age and Wisdom Animals: Perish at Death Corruption: Physical Decomposition: After Death Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dying Funeral Humans Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Life: from God Man: Spirit Memory After Death Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning Organ Donation Our Souls Reincarnation Select Readings: Old Age Soul Sleep Souls The Immortal Soul The Spirit of Man What Happens When you Die When we Die

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics