Ecclesiastes 3:15

That which hath been hath long since appeared [again]; and what is to be hath already been; and God seeketh [again] that which is sped away.

Leeser Tanakh

In The King James Version

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

In Context

14I know that whatsoever God doth, that will be for ever; to it nothing can be added, and from it there is nothing to be diminished: and God hath so made it, that men should be afraid of him.

16And moreover I have seen under the sun, [that in] the place of justice, even there was wickedness; and [that in] the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 6:10That which hath been is already called by its name, and it is known that he is a man: and he is not able to contend with him that is mightier than he.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 3:12-16

Mutability of Human Affairs. 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. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 3:15