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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/21_Ecc_03_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:20 - From Dust to Dust" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:19">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 3:20 <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All are going to the same place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All are going to the same place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />All living creatures go to the same place. We are made from earth, and we return to earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All [life] goes to the same place. All [life] comes from the ground, and all of it goes back to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They are both going to the same place--the dust. They both came from it; they will both go back to it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of them go to one place: all of them originate from dust, and all of them return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Both go to the same place, both come from the dust, and to dust both return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The whole are going to one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back unto the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />All go to one place; all were from dust, and all turned back to dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And all things continue on to one place; for from the earth they were made, and unto the earth they shall return together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Both go to the same place; both were made from the dust, and to the dust they both return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All go to one place; everyone was from dust and each returns to dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All <i>go</i> to one place; all were formed of the dust, and all will return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=627" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">From Dust to Dust</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>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. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: hak·kōl (Art:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·w·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">go</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mā·qō·wm (N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: hak·kōl (Art:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">come</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: he·‘ā·p̄ār (Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dust,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·hak·kōl (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šāḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: he·‘ā·p̄ār (Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">dust.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal descends into the earth?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a></span><br />By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a></span><br />You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-15.htm">Job 34:15</a></span><br />all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a></span><br />Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-47.htm">1 Corinthians 15:47</a></span><br />The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a></span><br />When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a></span><br />Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-22.htm">1 Corinthians 15:22</a></span><br />For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Psalm 146:4</a></span><br />When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Genesis 18:27</a></span><br />Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/17-16.htm">Job 17:16</a></span><br />Will it go down to the gates of Sheol? Will we go down together into the dust?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-48.htm">1 Corinthians 15:48-49</a></span><br />As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. / And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14</a></span><br />For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:21</a></b></br> Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:6</a></b></br> Yea, though he live a thousand years twice <i>told</i>, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:10</a></b></br> Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do <i>it</i> with thy might; for <i>there is</i> no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.</p><p class="hdg">all are</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a></b></br> In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou <i>art</i>, and unto dust shalt thou return.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9,10</a></b></br> Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-15.htm">Job 34:15</a></b></br> All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/14-19.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-30.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-7.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">is an excellence in God's works</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>All go to one place;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the universal destiny of all living beings, highlighting the inevitability of death. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it reflects the theme of life's transience and the common fate shared by both humans and animals. The "one place" refers to Sheol, the abode of the dead in Hebrew thought, which is often depicted as a shadowy existence rather than a place of reward or punishment. This aligns with the biblical understanding that death is the great equalizer, as seen in <a href="/job/30-23.htm">Job 30:23</a>, where Job acknowledges that God will bring him to the "house appointed for all living."<p><b>all come from dust,</b><br>This phrase recalls the creation narrative in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, where God forms man from the dust of the ground. It underscores the humble origins of humanity and the intimate connection between humans and the earth. The use of "dust" signifies mortality and the fragile nature of human life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, dust was a symbol of lowliness and insignificance, reinforcing the idea that humans are part of the created order and subject to its limitations.<p><b>and all return to dust.</b><br>This phrase completes the cycle of life and death, echoing <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, where God tells Adam, "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." It serves as a reminder of the consequences of the Fall, where death entered the world through sin. The return to dust signifies the physical decay and dissolution of the body after death, a concept that is consistent with the biblical view of human mortality. This cycle also points to the hope of resurrection, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-42.htm">1 Corinthians 15:42-44</a>, where Paul speaks of the perishable body being raised imperishable, connecting the temporary return to dust with the eternal promise of new life through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the meaning of life and the human condition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/earth/dust.htm">Earth/Dust</a></b><br>The term "dust" is significant in this verse, symbolizing the material origin and destiny of human beings. It connects to the creation account in Genesis.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a></b><br>The event of God creating man from the dust of the ground, as described in Genesis, is a foundational backdrop for this verse.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_death.htm">The Universality of Death</a></b><br>Death is a common destiny for all humanity, reminding us of our shared mortality and the need for humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cycle_of_life.htm">The Cycle of Life</a></b><br>Recognizing that we come from dust and return to dust can help us appreciate the transient nature of life and focus on what is eternal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Understanding our origin and destiny should lead us to rely on God, who is eternal and sovereign over life and death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life.htm">The Value of Life</a></b><br>While life is temporary, it is also a gift from God. We should live purposefully, seeking to honor Him in all we do.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_death.htm">Hope Beyond Death</a></b><br>For Christians, the reality of returning to dust is not the end. Through Christ, we have the hope of resurrection and eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_earthing_in_the_bible.htm">Is grounding/earthing mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_thanatology.htm">What is thanatology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_mention_reincarnation.htm">What does the Bible say about past lives and reincarnation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/birds__from_water_or_ground.htm">Were birds created from water or from the ground? (Genesis 1:20-21 vs. Genesis 2:19)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All go unto one place</span>. All, men and brutes, are buried in the earth (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a>). The author is not thinking of Sheol, the abode of departed spirits, but merely regarding earth as the universal tomb of all creatures. Plumptre quotes Lueretius, 'De Rer. <span class="accented">Nat</span>.,' 5:260 - <p><span class="foreign">"Omniparens eadem rerum commune sepulchrum."</span> <p><span class="accented">"The mother and the sepulcher of all."</span> Thus Bailey, 'Festus' - <p><span class="accented">"The course of nature seems a course of death;<br />The prize of life's brief race, to cease to run;<br />The sole substantial thing, death's nothingness."</span> <span class="cmt_word">All are of the dust</span> (<a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-29.htm">Psalm 104:29</a>; <a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Psalm 146:4</a>). So Ecclus. 41:10, "All things that are of earth shall turn to earth again." This is true of the material part of men and brutes alike; the question of the destiny of the immaterial part is touched in the next verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">All</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹלֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place:</span><br /><span class="heb">מָק֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">All</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּל֙</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dust,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶֽעָפָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַכֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hak·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">return</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(šāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dust.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעָפָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-20.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to one place (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>