Ecclesiastes 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Ecc. 3:1-22) Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water (Ecc 1:5-7). purpose--as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example, He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," Ecc 3:2), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings (Ecc 3:12); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end (Co1 7:31). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them.
Open source ↗To every thing there is a season,.... A set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall be, were foreordained by God, and he has determined the times before appointed for their being, duration, and end; which times and seasons he has in his own power: there was a determined time for the whole universe, and for all persons and things in it; a settled fixed moment for the world to come into being; for it did not exist from everlasting, nor of itself, nor was formed by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, but by the wisdom and power of God; nor could it exist sooner or later than it did; it appeared when it was the will of God it should; in the beginning he created it, and he has fixed the time of its duration and end; for it shall not continue always, but have an end, which when it will be, he only knows: so there is a determined time for the rise, height, and declension of states and kingdoms in it; as of lesser ones, so of the four great monarchies; and for all the distinct periods and ages of the world; and for each of the seasons of the year throughout all ages; for the state of the church in it, whether in suffering or flourishing circumstances; for the treading down of the holy city; for the prophesying, slaying, and rising of the witnesses; for the reign and ruin of antichrist; for the reign of Christ on earth, and for his second coming to judgment, though of that day and hour knows no man: and as there is a set time in the counsels and providence of God for these more important events, so for every thing of a lesser nature; and a time to every purpose under the heaven; to every purpose of man that is carried into execution; for some are not, they are supersede…
Open source ↗"Everything has its time, and every purpose under the heavens its hour." The Germ. language is poor in synonyms of time. Zckler translates: Everything has its Frist ..., but by Frist we think only of a fixed term of duration, not of a period of beginning, which, though not exclusively, is yet here primarily meant; we have therefore adopted Luther's excellent translation. Certainly זמן (from זמן, cogn. סמן, signare), belonging to the more modern Heb., means a Frist (e.g., Dan 2:16) as well as a Zeitpunkt, point of time; in the Semit. (also Assyr. simmu, simanu, with ס) it is the most common designation of the idea of time. עת is abbreviated either from ענת (ועד, to determine) or from ענת (from ענה, cogn. אנה, to go towards, to meet). In the first case it stands connected with מועד on the one side, and with עדּן (from עדד, to count) on the other; in the latter case, with עונה, Exo 21:10 (perhaps also ען and ענת in כען, כּענת). It is difficult to decide this point; proportionally more, however, can be said for the original ענת (Palest.-Aram. ענתּא), as also the prep. of participation את is derived from אנת (meeting, coming together). (Note: Vid., Orelli's work on the Heb. Synon. der Zeit u. Ewigkeit, 1871. He decides for the derivation from ועד morf ; Fleischer (Levy's Chald. W.B. II. 572) for the derivation from ענה, the higher power of אנה, whence (Arab.) inan, right time. We have, under Job 24:1, maintained the former derivation.) The author means to say, if we have regard to the root signification of the second conception of time - (1) that everything has its fore-determined time, in which there lies both a determined point of time when it happens, and a determined period of time during which it shall continue; and (2) that every matter has a time appointed for it, or…
Open source ↗The scope of these verses is to show, 1. That we live in a world of changes, that the several events of time, and conditions of human life, are vastly different from one another, and yet occur promiscuously, and we are continually passing and repassing between them, as in the revolutions of every day and every year. In the wheel of nature (Jam 3:6) sometimes one spoke is uppermost and by and by the contrary; there is a constant ebbing and flowing, waxing and waning; from one extreme to the other does the fashion of this world change, ever did, and ever will. 2. That every change concerning us, with the time and season of it, is unalterably fixed and determined by a supreme power; and we must take things as they come, for it is not in our power to change what is appointed for us. And this comes in here as a reason why, when we are in prosperity, we should by easy, and yet not secure - not to be secure because we live in a world of changes and therefore have no reason to say, Tomorrow shall be as this day (the lowest valleys join to the highest mountains), and yet to be easy, and, as he had advised (Ecc 2:24), to enjoy the good of our labour, in a humble dependence upon God and his providence, neither lifted up with hopes, nor cast down with fears, but with evenness of mind expecting every event. Here we have, I. A general proposition laid down: To every thing there is a season, Ecc 3:1. 1. Those things which seem most contrary the one to the other will, in the revolution of affairs, each take their turn and come into play. The day will give place to the night and the night again to the day. Is it summer? It will be winter. Is it winter? Stay a while, and it will be summer. Every purpose has its time. The clearest sky will be clouded, Post gaudia luctus - Joy succeeds sor…
Open source ↗3:1-8 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven: Wisdom recognizes that everything has its own season—in human activities as in the realm of nature (see 1:3-7). A wise person will determine the appropriate time to pursue any activity (8:5). The opportunity is fleeting (Eph 5:16; Col 4:5).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
זְמָן (zᵉmân, H2165) — an appointed occasion עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. חֵפֶץ (chêphets, H2656) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds…
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) עָקַר (ʻâqar, H6131) — to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play סָפַד (çâphad, H5594) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to… רָקַד (râqad, H7540) — properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone כָּנַס (kânaç, H3664) — to collect; hence, to enfold חָבַק (châbaq, H2263) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace) רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove…
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) תָּפַר (tâphar, H8609) — to sew חָשָׁה (châshâh, H2814) — to hush or keep quiet דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… עָמֵל (ʻâmêl, H6001) — toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עִנְיָן (ʻinyân, H6045) — ado, i.e. (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בְּלִי (bᵉlîy, H1097) — properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… סוֹף (çôwph, H5490) — a termination
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially…
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind מַתָּת (mattâth, H4991) — a present אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… אַיִן (ʼayin, H369) — a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.
In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!