Ecclesiastes 3:21 “Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the anim…”

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

World English Bible

Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

American Standard Version

Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?

Geneva Bible 1599

Who knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend vpward, and the spirit of the beast descend downeward to the earth?

Darby Translation

Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?

Young's Literal Translation

Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of man that is going up on high, and the spirit of the beast that is going down below to the earth?

Bible in Basic English

Who is certain that the spirit of the sons of men goes up to heaven, or that the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth?

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Cross references

“knoweth”

Ecclesiastes 12:7 John 14:3 2 Corinthians 5:1 Philippians 1:23 Acts 1:25 2 Corinthians 5:8

Ecclesiastes 12:7 · BSB

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

John 14:3 · BSB

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

2 Corinthians 5:1 · BSB

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.

Philippians 1:23 · BSB

I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.

Acts 1:25 · BSB

to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”

2 Corinthians 5:8 · BSB

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

20All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.

22I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

Read Ecclesiastes 3