Ecclesiastes 11:5

KJV1611 – Modern English

As you do not know the way of the spirit, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽינְךָ֤ יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ מַה־דֶּ֣רֶךְ הָר֔וּחַ כַּעֲצָמִ֖ים בְּבֶ֣טֶן הַמְּלֵאָ֑ה כָּ֗כָה לֹ֤א תֵדַע֙ אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃

Transliteration

As-which you-not yôdēaʿ what-dereḵ the-rûaḥ as-ʿăṣāmîm in-beṭen the-mĕlēʾāh thus not tēdaʿ [direct object marker]-maʿăśēh the-ʾĕlōhîm which yaʿăśeh [direct object marker]-the-all

Grammar Details

• *yôdēaʿ*: qal participle, masculine singular - knowing
• *dereḵ*: noun, masculine singular construct - way of/path of
• *rûaḥ*: noun, feminine singular - wind/spirit
• *ʿăṣāmîm*: noun, feminine plural - bones
• *beṭen*: noun, feminine singular construct - womb/belly of
• *mĕlēʾāh*: adjective, feminine singular - full/pregnant woman
• *tēdaʿ*: qal imperfect, 2nd person masculine singular - you will know
• *maʿăśēh*: noun, masculine singular construct - work/deed of
• *ʾĕlōhîm*: noun, masculine plural - God
• *yaʿăśeh*: qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - he will do/make

Word Meanings

• *dereḵ*: way/path/journey
• *rûaḥ*: wind/breath/spirit
• *ʿăṣāmîm*: bones/substance/essence
• *beṭen*: womb/belly/inner part
• *mĕlēʾāh*: full one/pregnant woman
• *maʿăśēh*: work/deed/action
• *ʾĕlōhîm*: God/gods/divine being

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how bones are formed in a pregnant woman's womb, so you cannot understand the workings of God who makes everything.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Now like as thou knowest not the waye of the wynde, ner how ye bones are fylled in a mothers wombe: Euen so thou knowest not the workes of God, which is the workemaster of all.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  As thou knowest not which is ye way of the spirit, nor how the bones doe growe in the wombe of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the worke of God that worketh all.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Nowe like as thou knowest not the way of the spirite, nor howe the bones do growe in the wombe of her that is with chylde: Euen so thou knowest not the workes of God, which is the workmaster of all.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  As you don't know what is the way of the wind, Nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; Even so you don't know the work of God who does all.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  As thou knowest not what `is' the way of the spirit, How -- bones in the womb of the full one, So thou knowest not the work of God who maketh the whole.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, `nor' how the bones `do grow' in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.

• World English Bible (2000)

  As you don't know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don't know the work of God who does all.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Just as you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones form in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

Referenced Verses

• John 3:8 : 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
• Eccl 8:17 : 17 Then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors to seek it out, he shall not find it; moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, he shall not be able to find it.
• Ps 92:5 : 5 O LORD, how great are your works! And your thoughts are very deep.
• Ps 104:24 : 24 O LORD, how manifold are Your works! in wisdom You have made them all: the earth is full of Your riches.
• Ps 139:13-16 : 13 For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed; and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
• Eccl 7:24 : 24 That which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
• Job 5:9 : 9 Who does great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number:
• Job 26:5-9 : 5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 Hell is naked before Him, and destruction has no covering. 7 He stretches out the north over empty space, and hangs the earth upon nothing. 8 He binds up the waters in His thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holds back the face of His throne and spreads His cloud upon it. 10 He has encircled the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at His reproof. 12 He divides the sea with His power, and by His understanding He strikes through the proud. 13 By His spirit He has adorned the heavens; His hand has formed the crooked serpent. 14 Behold, these are parts of His ways: but how small a portion is heard of Him? But the thunder of His power, who can understand?
• Job 36:24-33 : 24 Remember to magnify his work, which men behold. 25 Every man may see it; man may behold it from afar. 26 Behold, God is great, and we do not know him, neither can the number of his years be searched out. 27 For he makes small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to their vapor: 28 Which the clouds drop and distill upon man abundantly. 29 Also can anyone understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tent? 30 Behold, he spreads his light upon it, and covers the bottom of the sea. 31 For by them he judges the people; he gives food in abundance. 32 With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between. 33 The noise thereof shows concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapor.
• Job 37:23 : 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out; he is excellent in power, in judgment, and in abundant justice; he will not oppress.
• Job 38:4-39:30 : 4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements, if you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what are its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who closed up the sea with doors, when it burst forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it, 10 And fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, This far you shall come, but no further; and here shall your proud waves be stopped? 12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began; and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal; and they stand out like a garment. 15 And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the upraised arm is broken. 16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? Declare, if you know it all. 19 Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And as for darkness, where is its place, 20 That you may take it to its boundary, and that you may discern the paths to its home? 21 Do you know it, because you were born then? Or because the number of your days is great? 22 Have you entered into the storehouses of the snow? Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light distributed, which scatters the east wind upon the earth? 25 Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder, 26 To cause it to rain on the earth where no one is, on the wilderness, where there is no man; 27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the sprout of tender grass to spring forth? 28 Does the rain have a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth? 30 The waters are hidden like stone, and the surface of the deep is frozen. 31 Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? 32 Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? 33 Do you know the statutes of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth? 34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? 35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, Here we are? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust hardens into clumps, and the clods cling together? 39 Will you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thickets? 41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food? 1 Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock give birth? Or can you mark when the deer give birth? 2 Can you count the months they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth? 3 They crouch down, they bring forth their young, they cast out their labor pains. 4 Their young ones grow strong, they grow up in the open; they go forth and do not return to them. 5 Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosed the bonds of the wild donkey? 6 Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwelling. 7 He mocks the city's throng, nor does he heed the driver's shout. 8 The range of mountains is his pasture, and he searches after every green thing. 9 Will the wild ox be willing to serve you, or remain by your manger? 10 Can you bind the wild ox in the furrow with ropes? Or will he plow the valleys behind you? 11 Will you trust him because his strength is great? Or will you leave your labor to him? 12 Will you rely on him to bring home your grain and gather it into your barn? 13 Did you give the peacock its splendid wings, or the ostrich its feathers? 14 It leaves its eggs on the ground, and warms them in the dust, 15 And forgets that a foot may crush them, or that a wild beast may break them. 16 She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not hers; her labor is in vain, without fear; 17 Because God has deprived her of wisdom, nor has He imparted to her understanding. 18 When she lifts herself on high, she laughs at the horse and its rider. 19 Have you given the horse its strength? Have you clothed its neck with a mane? 20 Can you make it leap like a locust? Its majestic snorting is terrifying. 21 It paws in the valley and rejoices in its strength; it charges into the throng of battle. 22 It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not turn back from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against it, the flashing spear and the javelin. 24 It devours the ground with fierceness and rage; it cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet. 25 At the blast of the trumpets, it says, 'Ha, ha!' It smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 26 Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and stretch its wings toward the south? 27 Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high? 28 It dwells on the rock and resides on the crag of the rock, in the stronghold. 29 From there it seeks its prey, and its eyes see afar off. 30 Its young ones also drink blood; and where the slain are, there it is.
• Ps 40:5 : 5 Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are toward us: they cannot be counted in order to You: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
• Isa 40:28 : 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint nor is weary? His understanding is unsearchable.
• Rom 11:33 : 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!