Ecclesiastes 11:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

As thou knowest {H3045} not what is the way {H1870} of the spirit {H7307}, nor how the bones {H6106} do grow in the womb {H990} of her that is with child {H4392}: even so thou knowest {H3045} not the works {H4639} of God {H430} who maketh {H6213} all.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just as you don't know the way of the wind or how bones grow in a pregnant woman's womb, so you don't know the work of God, the maker of everything.

Berean Standard Bible

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 11:5 offers a profound meditation on the limits of human understanding, drawing a compelling parallel between our inability to comprehend natural, unseen phenomena—like the invisible path of the wind or the miraculous, hidden formation of life in the womb—and our even greater incapacity to fully grasp the vast, intricate, and sovereign works of God. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine omnipotence and the call for humility and trust in the face of God's incomprehensible wisdom and activity in the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within a broader section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 11-12) where Qoheleth, the Preacher, transitions from lamenting the vanity and unpredictability of life's pursuits to offering practical, actionable wisdom for living faithfully and diligently amidst life's inherent uncertainties. Having explored the unpredictable nature of human endeavors and the futility of striving for ultimate control, Qoheleth encourages active engagement with life's opportunities, such as casting bread upon the waters and sowing seeds widely, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 11:1-6](/ecclesiastes/11-1-6 "Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 - Diligence and Uncertainty"). Simultaneously, he emphasizes the crucial need to acknowledge divine sovereignty and the ultimate accountability to God. Verse 5 specifically underpins the advice to act without full knowledge of outcomes, grounding it in the profound mystery of God's creative and providential works that are beyond human comprehension.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near Eastern world, including Israel, the mysteries of nature were deeply respected and often viewed as direct manifestations of divine power. While observation of natural processes was common, the underlying mechanisms were frequently attributed to the inscrutable will of the gods. The development of a child in the womb, in particular, was universally regarded as a sacred and miraculous act of creation, entirely beyond human intervention or full comprehension. This cultural backdrop amplifies the verse's profound point: if even these observable yet inexplicable natural phenomena are beyond human grasp, how much more are the grand designs and hidden operations of the transcendent God. The wisdom literature, to which Ecclesiastes belongs, frequently juxtaposed human limitation with divine omnipotence, a common and vital theme in ancient thought.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 11:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes woven throughout the book. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Human Ignorance and Limitation**, highlighting the profound boundaries of human knowledge and control. Our inability to predict the path of the wind or fully understand the miracle of fetal development serves as potent metaphors for our limited foresight and control in all of life's endeavors. Secondly, it underscores the **Incomprehensibility and Sovereignty of God**. The verse pivots from natural mysteries to "the works of God who maketh all," asserting that God's actions and plans are fundamentally beyond human comprehension. This resonates deeply with other biblical passages that speak to God's unsearchable wisdom, such as when the Lord declares in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"), "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." Finally, the verse implicitly calls for **Humility and Trust in Divine Providence**. Since human understanding is so inherently limited, the wise response is not paralysis but humble action, trusting that God, who orchestrates the most complex and hidden processes, is ultimately in control of all things, a sentiment beautifully echoed in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowest (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3045) signifies "to know," but in a broad sense that includes ascertaining by seeing, observing, comprehending, recognizing, and even experiencing intimately. In Ecclesiastes 11:5, its repeated use emphasizes the *lack* of human comprehension regarding both natural processes and divine works. It highlights a fundamental epistemic limitation—not merely a lack of information, but an inherent inability to fully grasp the underlying mechanisms or ultimate purposes of these phenomena.
* **spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** This versatile word (H7307) can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In the context of "the way of the spirit," it most likely refers to the invisible, unpredictable, and uncontrollable movement of the wind. This interpretation aligns with the natural phenomena being described, emphasizing something entirely beyond human prediction or control. The wind's mysterious nature serves as a powerful analogy for the inscrutable ways of God, much like how the Spirit of God is described as moving where it wishes in [John 3:8](/john/3-8 "John 3:8 - The Wind and the Spirit").
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural form (H430), often used with a singular verb, refers to the supreme God of Israel. While it can denote "gods" in a general sense, its usage here, particularly in the context of "who maketh all," unequivocally points to the one true Creator God. The emphasis is on His unique power and authority as the ultimate orchestrator of all things, whose works are fundamentally beyond human understanding and whose might is described as "exceeding" or "very great."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit,"**: This clause introduces the first analogy, highlighting human ignorance concerning the unseen and unpredictable forces of nature. The "way of the spirit" (referring to the wind's movement) is a mystery—its origin, destination, and precise movements are beyond human prediction or control. This sets the stage for the broader point about divine inscrutability, demonstrating that even common natural phenomena possess an unknowable dimension.
* **"nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child:"**: This second analogy deepens the theme of human limitation, pointing to the miraculous and hidden process of fetal development. The intricate formation of bones (H6106, _ʻetsem_, signifying strength and substance) and the entire human body within the mother's womb (H990, _beṭen_) is presented as an undeniable, yet incomprehensible, work of creation. It is a process that unfolds mysteriously, beyond human observation or intervention, underscoring the wonder and complexity of life itself, and the fullness (H4392, _mâlêʼ_) of the child's development.
* **"even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."**: This is the climactic conclusion, drawing the parallel between the natural mysteries and the divine. If humanity cannot comprehend the simple yet profound workings of wind or fetal development, how much less can it fully grasp the vast, intricate, and sovereign "works" (H4639, _maʻăseh_, meaning actions or transactions) of God (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_) who "maketh all" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_, meaning to do or make in the broadest sense). This final clause asserts God's ultimate creative and providential power over everything, emphasizing that His plans and methods are fundamentally beyond human knowledge or control.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 11:5 masterfully employs **Analogy** and **Simile** to convey its central message. The verse explicitly draws a comparison using the structure "As... even so," linking two natural, observable yet profoundly mysterious phenomena (the invisible path of the wind and the hidden miracle of fetal development) to the unsearchable "works of God." This rhetorical strategy makes the abstract concept of God's incomprehensibility tangible by grounding it in common human experience and the undeniable limits of human knowledge. Furthermore, an implied **Rhetorical Question** underpins the verse: "If you cannot understand these basic, yet complex, natural processes, how can you expect to understand the infinite works of the Creator of all?" This subtly challenges human presumption and underscores the vast chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine wisdom. The cumulative effect of these examples also creates a sense of **Hyperbole** or extreme emphasis, highlighting the *utter* unknowability of God's comprehensive and sovereign work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 11:5 profoundly shapes our understanding of divine sovereignty and human humility. It teaches that God's ways are not only higher than ours but often entirely beyond our grasp, challenging any notion of human autonomy or comprehensive understanding. This theological truth calls us to a posture of faith and trust, recognizing that the same God who intricately forms life in the womb and directs the unseen wind is also orchestrating the grand tapestry of history and our individual lives. It is a powerful antidote to intellectual arrogance, reminding us that true wisdom begins with acknowledging the limits of our knowledge and submitting to the infinite wisdom of the Creator.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "The Depths of God's Wisdom, Knowledge, and Judgments")
* [Job 38](/job/38 "God's Challenge to Job from the Whirlwind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a vital anchor in a world that often prizes knowledge and control above all else. It liberates us from the burden of needing to understand everything, inviting us instead to embrace the profound mystery of God's providence. In practical terms, it encourages us to act diligently and faithfully in our callings, sowing seeds of goodness and effort, even when the outcomes are uncertain or the path ahead is unclear. We are called to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the infinite wisdom of God. This humility, in turn, fosters a deeper trust in His sovereign hand, allowing us to rest in the assurance that the One who "maketh all" is working all things for His ultimate purposes, even when we cannot discern His methods or foresee the results. It reminds us that our deepest peace is found not in knowing all the answers, but in knowing the One who holds all the answers and orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of your life do you struggle to release control over, due to a desire for complete understanding or predictability?**
* **How does acknowledging God's incomprehensible "works" impact your daily decisions and long-term plans, particularly when facing uncertainty?**
* **In what specific ways can embracing humility about our limited knowledge lead to greater peace, deeper trust, and more courageous action in your walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God's works are completely unknowable, or just beyond our *full* comprehension?**

Answer: Ecclesiastes 11:5 implies that God's works are beyond our *full* or exhaustive comprehension, not that they are entirely unknowable. The verse draws a parallel with natural phenomena that we observe but cannot fully explain or control (like the wind or fetal development). Similarly, while we can discern aspects of God's character and purposes through His revelation (e.g., in [Scripture](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed") and creation), His ultimate plans and intricate methods remain mysterious to our finite minds. It's a call to humility and trust, acknowledging that God operates on a level far beyond human understanding, as powerfully articulated in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 11:5, with its emphasis on the inscrutable "works of God who maketh all," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the visible manifestation of the invisible God and the very agent through whom all things were made. While the Old Testament highlights God's mysterious ways and unsearchable wisdom, the New Testament reveals that these mysteries are ultimately unveiled and embodied in Christ. The profound mystery of how "the bones do grow in the womb" points forward to the miraculous incarnation, where the Son of God, the very Word through whom "all things were made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")), took on human flesh within the womb of Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit and Mary")). This act, utterly beyond human comprehension or natural explanation, demonstrates God's sovereign power to bring forth life and salvation in ways that defy all human expectation. Furthermore, the "works of God" that we cannot fully know are perfectly embodied in Christ's redemptive work—His life, death, and resurrection—which, though historically verifiable, remains a profound spiritual mystery understood only through faith. In Christ, the incomprehensible God has made Himself known, for "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")), and His ultimate work of reconciling all things to Himself through the cross ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")) is the greatest of all His "works" which, though we cannot fully grasp its infinite depths, we are called to embrace by faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 3:8

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Psalms 92:5

O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep.

Ecclesiastes 8:17

Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek [it] out, yet he shall not find [it]; yea further; though a wise [man] think to know [it], yet shall he not be able to find [it].

Romans 11:33

¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

Psalms 139:13

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Psalms 139:16

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.