Ecclesiastes 12:7 cpdv — and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it.

Catholic Public Domain Version

"and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it. "

— Ecclesiastes 12:7, Catholic Public Domain Version

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Ecclesiastes 12:7 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 12 — Context

4

And they will close the doors to the street, when the voice of he who grinds the grain will be humbled, and they will be disturbed at the sound of a flying thing, and all the daughters of song shall become deaf.

5

Likewise, they will fear the things above them, and they will dread the way. The almond tree will flourish; the locust will be fattened; and the caper plant will be scattered, because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall wander around in the street.

6

Before the silver cord is broken, and the golden band pulls away, and the pitcher is crushed over the fountain, and the wheel is broken above the cistern,

7

and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it.

8

Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all is vanity!

9

And since Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and he described what he had accomplished. And while searching, he composed many parables.

10

He sought useful words, and he wrote most righteous words, which were full of truth.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 12:7 say?
Ecclesiastes 12:7 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it. ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 12:7 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 12:7 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12, verse 7.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 12:7.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 12:7 in?
Ecclesiastes 12:7 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 12:7?
Ecclesiastes 12:7 reads (CPDV): “and the dust returns to its earth, from which it was, and the spirit returns to God, who granted it. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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