Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ecclesiastes 3:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
• New International Version (NIV)There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
• English Standard Version (ESV)For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
• New King James Version (NKJV)To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

Context of Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes 3:1 word by word

לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• a seasonזְמָ֑ןzemân · timeH2165
• and a timeעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
• to every purposeחֵ֫פֶץchêphets · pleasureH2656
• under the heavenשָׁמַיִםshâmayim shâmeh · heavenH8064

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:1

• Ecclesiastes 3:17I thought to myself, “God will judge both the righteous and the wicked; for there is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed.
• Ecclesiastes 7:14In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.
• 2 Kings 5:26Elisha replied, “I was there in spirit when a man turned and got down from his chariot to meet you. This is not the proper time to accept silver or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, sheep, cattle, and male and female servants.
• 2 Chronicles 33:12In his pain Manasseh asked the Lord his God for mercy and truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.
• Proverbs 15:23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!
• Matthew 16:3and in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and darkening.’ You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky, but you cannot evaluate the signs of the times.
• Ecclesiastes 1:13I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied.
• Ecclesiastes 2:3I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose - Two general remarks may be made on the first eight verses of this chapter. God by his providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times. In those times such things may be done with propriety and success; but if we neglect the appointed seasons, we sin against this providence, and become the authors of our own distresses. God has given to man…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Everything - More particularly, the actions of people (e. g. his own, Ecclesiastes 2:1-8) and events which happen to people, the world of Providence rather than the world of creation. It would seem that most of his own works described in Ecclesiastes 2:1-8 were present to his mind. The rare word translated “season” means emphatically “fitting time” (compare Nehemiah 2:6; Esther 9:27, Esther 9:31).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The changes of human affairs. (Eccl. 3:1-10) The Divine counsels unchangeable. (Eccl. 3:11-15) The vanity of worldly power. (Eccl. 3:16-22) Verses 1-10 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-8To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: Wisdom knows that everything has its own time. Both in human activities and in nature (see Ecclesiastes 1:3–7). A wise person knows when to start any activity (Ecclesiastes 8:5). Opportunities do not last long (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-22Ec 3:1-22. Earthly pursuits are no doubt lawful in their proper time and order (Ec 3:1-8), but unprofitable when out of time and place; as for instance, when pursued as the solid and chief good (Ec 3:9, 10); whereas God makes everything beautiful in its season, which man obscurely comprehends (Ec 3:11). God allows man to enjoy moderately and virtuously His earthly gifts (Ec 3:12, 13). What consoles us amidst the instability of earthly blessings is, God's…Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Dance
• Judge
• Providence
• Sirach, Book of
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings