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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 9:11

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

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Reference depth

From verse 11

  1. Jeremiah 9:23Rank 1 from verse 11
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    23¶ Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

  2. Proverbs 21:30–31Rank 2 from verse 11
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    30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

    31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

  3. Lamentations 3:37–38Rank 3 from verse 11
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    37¶ Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

    38Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

  4. Job 5:11–14Rank 4 from verse 11
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    11To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

    12He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

    13He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

    14They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

  5. Ecclesiastes 3:17Rank 5 from verse 11
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    17I 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.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 9:11

COMBINED MEANING

returned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of return, meaning to go, come, send, or give back; to restore, answer, or turn again.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

race

↗

Sense 1: A course run, especially a contest of speed. Sense 2: Figuratively, the appointed course to be completed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

battle

↗

1. Armed fighting or conflict between opposing forces; an engagement or warfare. 2. A battle line, array, or body of forces prepared or engaged for combat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

strong

↗

Having great power, might, firmness, courage, capacity, influence, defence, health, intensity, or ability to act, endure, resist, overcome, or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

favour

↗

Sense 1: Goodwill, approval, acceptance, kindness, mercy, support, or beneficial regard. Sense 2: Pleasing appearance or charm. Sense 3: To regard, support, prefer, or treat kindly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

skill

↗

1. Learned ability, knowledge, or practical competence. 2. As a verb, to know how or be able by skill.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

time

↗

A particular portion or part of duration, whether past, present or future.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

chance

↗

Sense 1: An unforeseen or unexpected occurrence. Sense 2: As a verb, to happen or happen to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

11¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Selected passage

12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

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