Ecclesiastes 3:19

For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile.

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

18I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.”

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

Read all of Ecclesiastes 3

Cross References

Job 14:10But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

Psalms 49:12But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 49:20A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 92:6A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,

Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 3:17-22

Immutability of God's Counsel; The Extent of Mortality. 16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 3:19