1:3. 3:2 "A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted" There is a grammatical connection between the efforts of the sinner (2:26, two Qal infinitive constructs) and that of Eccl. He is married to the former Peggy Rutta and they have three children and six grandchildren. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. Eccl. See note at Eccl. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? The "appointed time" does not speak of the advantageous human time, but of the divinely appointed time. 12:13-14) Tools Ecc 3:9 What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors? a. I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there: Solomon looked at the world the here and now world, apart from considering eternity and saw that there was great evil and injustice. 3:1-8) or in our world we must focus on thanksgiving for those common, simple, daily, but really wonderful, things common to all human societies (but really a gift from God, cf. d. Except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end: Though God has given man a longing for and awareness of eternity, God has not revealed very much about His eternal work. Wickedness (BDB 957, cf. Your partnership makes all we do possible. A time to kill: Solomon did not tell us there was a time for murder. 12:14). The term "dust" (BDB 779) is also used in Gen. 2:7 in relation to the special creation of mankind. Qoheleth knew the Genesis account of creation and uses its key terms: 3:21 "Who knows that" Because of the use of this same phrase in Eccl. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. 14I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. 13Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toilthis is a gift of God. 1:4, cf. Copyright 2012 Bible Lessons International, Bob was born in 1947 in Houston, Texas. 8:2, 16; 13:3; Jdgs. Knowledge is not as crucial as trust, faith, and obedience. 2. And there is a time for every event under heaven Nothing can be added to it, 1. i. 1 There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: 2 A right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap, 3 A right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct, 4 A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time . Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that () no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and . I have seen the God-given task which the sons of men are to be occupied, He has made everything beautiful in its time, has made everything beautiful in its time, Except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end, I know that nothing is better for them to rejoice, and to do good in their lives and enjoy the good of all his labor it is the gift of God, I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever, God does it, that men should fear before Him, And God requires an account of what is past, I saw under the sun: in the place of judgment, wickedness was there, I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, there is a time there for every purpose and for every work, Concerning the condition of the sons of men they themselves are like animals, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity, Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth, Nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works who can bring him to see what will happen after him, David Guzik :: Hechos 9 La Conversin de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: Romanos 12 Viviendo la Vida Cristiana, David Guzik :: 1 Corintios 7 Principios Sobre el Matrimonio y la Soltera, G4146 - plousis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv), Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Genesis 32-36 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), John 1:35-2:25 - Conversion Vesus Cleansing (Chuck Missler), Psalms 101-106 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Gods actions are effective and complete (, Deane, W.J. A time for every purpose under heaven: Proud member Eccl. Is this chapter speaking of human actions or divine election? Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 explains it is because God has a reason and a time for all things. Smell the roses along the path! b. 3:18 to Eccl. A time to weep, Eccl. (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide John 3:16, Jesus faith love), Select a Beginning Point All rights reserved. 5 The sun rises, the sun sets; then to its place it . Johannine Writings 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut. 3:2-9 (a series of 27 infinitive constructs). RSV Revised Standard . The purpose of these tasks is to show them their dependence on God (cf. 3. 2:19 and 6:12 this is obviously a question. A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. Legacy Standard Bible 2021, Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Yet in his under the sun thinking, there was no real reason to believe it so, Who knows? 21Who knows* if the life breath of mortals goes upward and the life breath of beasts goes earthward? NASB"for God seeks what is passed by" 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of mankind with which to [ a]occupy themselves. 9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? And there is a time for every event under heaven A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to cast away stones, 1 Sam. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. 3:5b seems to reinforce this understanding. All is futility." 3 What advantage does a person have in all his work Which he does under the sun? Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} {{/items}} 6A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) A time for every purpose. All is vanity ." 3 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? When one consults English translations one finds a question in both Eccl. However, there comes a time in life where it becomes obvious that that something or someone cannot be obtained! The Jerusalem Bible has a good comment on this verse: "This phrase, however, is not to be taken in the Christian sense; it means simply: God has given the human heart (mind) awareness of 'duration,' he has endowed him with the power of reflecting on the sequence of events and thus of controlling the present. Yet it also casts a dark shadow because it reminds us of the inevitability of trouble and evil, and of the relentless monotony of life. i. The Gospels Pericope taken from the NASB95 and has been graciously provided by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. General Epistles 4. This is a recurrent theme (cf. These are spelled out in Eccl. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a God has allotted twenty-four hours to each one of us. Some scholars try to make this line balance with previous ones ("appropriate in its time"), meaning God controls human situations and destinies. A time to mourn and a time to dance. Major Prophets The Hebrew word (BDB 343) means "delight" or "pleasure," but here it has the added connotation of activity that brings joy (cf. He has made everything beautiful in its time. In context it describes God's sovereign choices that control human circumstances. If so, then God wants His special creation to pursue: 1.action at the appropriate time (cf. 8 A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Moreover I saw under the sun: Help My Unbelief!" This is a general truth of the Bible (e.g., Gen. 22:1; Exod. 3:16 "under the sun" Again, I think that the book of Ecclesiastes (using this phrase) views life from one of two perspectives: (1) what is the meaning of life if there is no God? NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 3:16-22 Some scholars try to take it with the following line about human's inability to understand God's work, which fits the meaning of the Hebrew trilateral root (cf. The general design of this chapter is to confirm what is before observed, the vanity and inconstancy of all things; the frailty of man, and changes respecting him; his fruitless toil and labour in all his works; that it is best to be content with present things, and cheerful in them, and thankful for them; that all comes from the hand of God; that such good men, who have not at present that joy that others have, may have it, since there is a time for it; and that sinners should not please themselves with riches gathered by them, since they may be soon taken from them, for there is a time for everything, Ec 3:1; of which there is an induction of particulars, Ec 3:2-8; so that though every thing is certain with God, nothing is certain with men, nor to be depended on, nor can happiness be placed therein; there is no striving against the providence of God, nor altering the course of things; the labour of man is unprofitable, and his travail affliction and vexation, Ec 3:9,10; and though all God's works are beautiful in their season, they are unsearchable to man, Ec 3:11; wherefore it is best cheerfully to enjoy the present good things of life, Ec 3:12,13; and be content; for the will and ways and works of God are unalterable, permanent, and perfect, Ec 3:14,15; and though wicked men may abuse the power reposed in them, and pervert public justice, they will be called to an account for it in the general judgment, for which there is a time set, Ec 3:16,17; and yet, such is the stupidity of the generality of men, that they have no more sense of death and judgment than the brutes, and live and die like them, Ec 3:18-21; wherefore it is best of all to make a right use of power and riches, or what God has given to men, for their own good and that of others, since they know not what shall be after them, Ec 3:22. The key question is, "Is there any lasting gain or value in human life, human effort, human wisdom?". It has been the consensus among Jewish commentators that this has sexual connotations (cf. Tools Ecc 3:8 A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. New American Standard Bible Some assume it means "the one who is persecuted" (cf. i. 103: 14,15; Isa. a. 3 What profit can we show for all our toil, toiling under the sun? If it is true that God is a fair God, the righteous will prosper and the wicked will be judged. "in order for them to see that they are but beasts" Again, the purpose is to show humans that without God they are only a highly developed animal (i.e., nephesh, Gen. 1:30). 4:1; Heb. And a time to hate; 3:19 in the term "beast" (BDB 96). 7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to tear down and a time to build up. * 18I said in my heart: As for human beings, it is Gods way of testing them and of showing that they are in themselves like beasts. TEV"He has set the right time for everything" And a time to sew; Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. The God-Given Task. 9a What profit have workers from their toil? 1 There is an appointed time for everything. The New Testament Thank you for registering. A time to give birth and a time to die; Major Prophets The New Testament (Ecclesiastes 3:22) Finding peace under the sun. 3A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. "1:13; 2:24; 3:11), but they are unable to understand the purpose or outcome of these tasks. To everything -- a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1 Additional Translations . All came from the dust and all return to the dust", The Study Bible Commentary Series, Old Testament, Wisdom Literature: The Mysterious Books Of Ecclesiastes And Song Of Songs, Everything Has Its Time, Determined by God, Human Injustice is Subject to Divine Judgment. Eccl. 5:7; 7:18; 8:12,13, which implies a faith worldview) and not on ourselves. A time to love and a time to hate; To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven, A time to be born, and a time to die a time to break down, and a time to build up, What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. Verses 20-22 are an expansion of the question mentioned in Eccl. It is possible that the gift is one's faith perspective which trusts in God although one cannot understand one's own existential circumstances. They themselves are like animals: The pronoun is repeated emphatically, that they themselves are [like] beasts, they in themselves. (Deane), ii. LXX"he has also set the whole world (age) in their heart". i. 2A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. Clear Advanced Options. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 10I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything beautiful in its time: This sense of balance considers the poetic list in the previous section. Eccl. And a time to speak; Eccl. Tools Ecc 3:9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? Then he thought that by all outward appearance, the same happens to a human body. Enjoy life each day! Options. And there is a time for every matter under heaven 2 A time to give birth and a time to die; 11:9; 12:4). DON ANDERSON The Mid-Life Crisis: "Where Your Heart and Treasure Meet." A Practical Verse-by-Verse Study of ECCLESIASTES - It is Don's interpretation that the book of Ecclesiastes describes Solomon's futile way of living as he heads down that slippery spiral of wine, women and song. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point 3:24; Eccl. 3:8 the killing referred to here seems to have another focus. Verse (Click for Chapter) NASB 1995 There is an appointed time for everything. "in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness" This seems to show that the two places where the character of God should have been manifested most clearly in human life are the law courts ("the place of justice," BDB 1048) and the area of worship ("the place of righteousness," BDB 841, see note at Eccl. 2. And a time to die; Wisdom Literature It is possible that these two words are used in parallel and refer to characteristics of God. The Teacher is speaking phenomenologically, i.e., as things appear to the senses. (Wright). To everything there is a season, 97-101. God is seeking to put fallen mankind in such a position where they will recognize the futility of life without the spiritual component (God, judgment, eternity). GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible a time to tear down, and a time to build. 7 If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? I said in my heart, The maidens came. A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. Luke-Acts And nothing taken from it. I know that whatever God does, God Set Eternity in the Heart of Mankind Sometimes good, sometimes evil, sometimes fair, sometimes unfaira divine but unknowable plan. All of these are gifts from God. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at [email protected]. On this basis, he could say that there is little difference in the life and destiny between humans and animals. 3:3 "A time to kill, and a time to heal" Since war is mentioned in Eccl. 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. NEB"He has made everything appropriate in its time" The New Testament God does it, that men should fear before Him. And a time to pluck what is planted; However, although humans certainly do have animal characteristics (eat, breathe, reproduce) and are related uniquely to this planet, there is a uniquely spiritual element in mankind. People may be ignorant of God's timing (3:9-11), but they are . Thus has God done that he may be revered. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Job 27:13-23), then the only conclusion is that there must be an afterlife (e.g., Matt. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. Why? The emphasis of this chapter is on divine appointment.