Don’t animals have spirits?

Question:

I was reading the article, “Doesn’t Ecclesiastes 3:19 teach that there is no difference between men and animals?” You said animals have no spirit. The very next passage says that they do have spirits. “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" (Ecclesiastes 3:21). I’m not saying they die and go to heaven; they are just triune beings.

Will you explain the next few Scriptures to me?

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption INTO the glorious liberty of the CHILDREN OF GOD. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:19-23).

I studied this passage. There is definitely some deliverance for these creatures, and they will be delivered to the children of God. Please explain this to me. I believe that when He created animals, He meant for them not to die. He has seen his creation and said it was good. Death is not “good.” Please help me understand. Thank you

That being said,
God Bless!

Answer:

"For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?" (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 NASB).

"For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?" (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 NKJV).

The Hebrew word ruwach can be translated as wind, breath, or spirit, depending on the context. I highlight the word in both the NASB and NKJV versions. Every English translation translates ruwach as "breath" since the text has men and animals have the same ruwach. We all breathe, and we all die. However, in the same context, most English translations switch ruwach to "spirit" since the verse discusses going to heaven or the earth at death. If Ecclesiastes 3:21 claimed that animals have eternal spirits, then there would not be two separate destinations. Here, I believe, ruwach is being used as a stand-in for "soul" or "life."  As I mentioned in "Soul and Spirit," the word "spirit" can be used as a stand-in (metonym) for several things. A play on words takes place in Ecclesiastes 3:19-21, which doesn't translate well into English.

"For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:19-23 NASB).

Paul is discussing our hope of heaven. The sufferings here are nothing compared to the glory God is offering us (Romans 5:3-5; II Corinthians 4:17; I Peter 1:6-7; 4:13). The Greek word ktiseos can be translated as either creature or creation. “Creation” is generally selected because of the mention of the whole creation in Romans 8:22 (Mark 10:6; Romans 1:20).

  • As the "creation," the world is being personified (Psalms 96:11-12), though it is talking about all the people in the world.
  • As a “creature,” it would refer to individuals (Mark 16:15; Colossians 1:23; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Isaiah 43:7; Romans 8:39). In particular, he is talking about individuals who have become Christians.

We eagerly look forward to our new life in heaven (Galatians 5:5; Philippians 1:20; II Peter 3:13; I John 3:2). In this world, we have struggles (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). God set it that way (Genesis 3:17; Leviticus 26:19-20). But we know there is a greater world beyond (Philippians 1:23). Thus, the hardships were done to bring about something better. Life for the non-believer is also vain (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:17; I Corinthians 3:20).

There is hope of deliverance from the sinful corruption in the world (II Peter 1:4; 3:13; II Corinthians 11:3; I Corinthians 15:33). There is hope of freedom that the children of God experience. The whole world is as if in labor pains, looking forward to the delivery. Even the early Christians, the first fruits of the Spirit, look forward to the final adoption (II Corinthians 5:1-5).