Ecclesiastes3
New American Standard
1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—
2A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
9What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors?
10I have seen the task which God has given the sons of mankind with which to occupy themselves.
11He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;
13moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him.
15That which is, is what has already been, and that which will be has already been; and God seeks what has passed by.
16Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
17I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.
18I said to myself regarding the sons of mankind, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are as animals, they to themselves.”
19For the fate of the sons of mankind and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no advantage for mankind over animals, for all is futility.
20All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.
21Who knows that the spirit of the sons of mankind ascends upward and the spirit of the animal descends downward to the earth?
22I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ecclesiastes 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The changes of human affairs. (1-10). The Divine counsels unchangeable. (11-15). The vanity of worldly power. (16-22).
vv1-10
To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment. To bring ourselves to our state in life, is our duty and wisdom in this world. God's whole plan for the government of the world will be found altogether wise, just, and good. Then let us seize the favourable opportunity for every good purpose and work. The time to die is fast approaching. Thus labour and sorrow fill the world. This is given us, that we may always have something to do; none were sent into the world to be idle.
vv11-15
Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.
vv16-22
Without the fear of the Lord, man is but vanity; set that aside, and judges will not use their power well. And there is another Judge that stands before the door. With God there is a time for the redressing of grievances, though as yet we see it not. Solomon seems to express his wish that men might perceive, that by choosing this world as their portion, they brought themselves to a level with the beasts, without being free, as they are, from present vexations and a future account. Both return to the dust from whence they were taken. What little reason have we to be proud of our bodies, or bodily accomplishments! But as none can fully comprehend, so few consider properly, the difference between the rational soul of man, and the spirit or life of the beast. The spirit of man goes upward, to be judged, and is then fixed in an unchangeable state of happiness or misery. It is as certain that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth; it perishes at death. Surely their case is lamentable, the height of whose hopes and wishes is, that they may die like beasts. Let our inquiry be, how an eternity of existence may be to us an eternity of enjoyment? To answer this, is the grand design of revelation. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, and the Hope of sinners.
Key Words
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זְמָן: an appointed occasion
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
חֵפֶץ: pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
תַּחַת: the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
יָלַד: to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
נָטַע: properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
עָקַר: to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3Man's appointed time on earth is bound by God's sovereign, unalterable decree.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Scripture commands abstaining from physical embracing during times of solemn assembly or national crises.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
New Testament parallel regarding temporarily refraining from marital intimacy for spiritual focus.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God claims the sovereign prerogative to both kill and heal in His own timing.
Supported by JFB
The mariners cast away their cargo to save their lives, exemplifying a time to lose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's shipmates voluntarily cast away ship tackle to survive, demonstrating a time to lose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Joyfully accepting the plundering of property for a higher spiritual purpose, a time to lose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reuben rends his clothes in extreme grief, illustrating a physical expression of mourning.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Job's friends sit in silence, demonstrating the proper time to refrain from speaking.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Reinforces the recurring theme of the painful, God-given labor that exercises humanity.
Supported by JFB
Praising the absolute perfection, justice, and flawless timing of God's sovereign work.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The unsearchable depth of God's wisdom, which man cannot fully comprehend from beginning to end.
Supported by JFB
Further corroborates that man cannot trace or find out the work of God.
Supported by JFB
Using the world without abusing it, aligning with Solomon's advice on moderate enjoyment.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the spirit returning to God with the body returning to dust.
Supported by Matthew Henry