Ecclesiastes 9:3
Old Testament • 20 words with Strong's data
"This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
Word-by-Word Analysis
רַע
raʻ
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
תָּוֶךְ
tâvek
a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
דָּבָר
dâbâr
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עָשָׂה
ʻâsâh
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שֶׁמֶשׁ
shemesh
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
אֶחָד
ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִקְרֶה
miqreh
something met with, i.e. an accident or fortune
לֵב
lêb
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
בֵּן
bên
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or ...
אֱנוֹשׁ
ʼĕnôwsh
a man in general (singly or collectively)
מָלֵא
mâlêʼ
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
רַע
raʻ
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
לֵב
lêb
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
עַד
ʻad
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
חָיָה
châyâh
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
אַחַר
ʼachar
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יָלַךְ
yâlak
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
מוּת
mûwth
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Key Terms in This Verse
שֶׁמֶשׁ shemesh
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
Study H8121 →עַד ʻad
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Study H5704 →חָיָה châyâh
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Study H2421 →מָלֵא mâlêʼ
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
Study H4392 →Cross References
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is ...
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will ...
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
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