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 a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 3A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear 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 said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”
• Ecclesiastes 7:14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right,
• 2 Kings 5:26But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?
• 2 Chronicles 33:12But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.
• Proverbs 15:23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
• Matthew 16:3red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!
• Ecclesiastes 1:13I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.
• Ecclesiastes 2:3After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.

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