Ecclesiastes 3 · Verse 12

Ecclesiastes 3:12

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Ecclesiastes 3:12, King James Version

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in other translations

BSBI know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,
WEBI know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
ASVI know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.
YLTI have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,
DARBYI know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;
BBEI am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.
WebsterI know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

What does Ecclesiastes 3:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. in them--in God's works (Ec 3:11), as far as relates to man's duty. Man cannot fully comprehend them, but he ought joyfully to receive ("rejoice in") God's gifts, and "do good" with them to himself and to others. This is never out of season (Ga 6:9, 10). Not sensual joy and self-indulgence (Php 4:4; Jas 4:16, 17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 I know that there is no good in them, but, etc. - Since God has so disposed the affairs of this world, that the great events of providence cannot be accelerated or retarded by human cares and anxieties, submit to God; make a proper use of what he has given: do thyself no harm, and endeavor as much as possible to do others good. Enjoy, and bless thyself; let others share The transient blessing: 'tis the gift of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:11-15

Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good…

Read the full comment on Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 →

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יָדַ֕עְתִּיya.Da'.tiI knowH3045
כִּ֛יkithatH3588
אֵ֥ין'einthere notH369
ט֖וֹבTov[is] goodH2896
בָּ֑םBamfor them
כִּ֣יkithatH3588
אִם\־'im-exceptH518
לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַlis.Mo.achto rejoiceH8055
וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתve.la.'a.Sotand to doH6213
ט֖וֹבTovgoodH2896
בְּחַיָּֽיו\׃be.chai.Yavin life hisH2416

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ecclesiastes 3:12

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

    That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15-16

    See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore.

  • Acts 20:35

    I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  • Philippians 4:4-9

    Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. …

  • Luke 11:41

    But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Isaiah 64:5

    Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

  • Deuteronomy 28:63

    And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

    Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
but.
22; 9:7-9; De 28:63; Ps 37:3; Isa 64:5; Lu 11:41; Ac 20:35
Php 4:4-9; 1Th 5:15,16; 1Ti 6:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ecclesiastes 3:11

    He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:12

    I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:13

    And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Yo he conocido que no hay mejor para ellos, que alegrarse, y hacer bien en su vida:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		J’ai connu qu’il n’y a rien de bon pour eux, sauf de se réjouir et de se faire du bien pendant leur vie;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich habe erkannt, daß es nichts Besseres unter ihnen gibt, als sich zu freuen und sich in seinem Leben gütlich zu tun;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et cognovi quod non esset melius nisi lætari, et facere bene in vita sua;