Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavenHeaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim). The Hebrew shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) means heaven or sky—God's dwelling place and the realm above earth. 'The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's' (Psalm 115:16), yet 'the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him' (1 Kings 8:27).: Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 1:13, 2:3, 2:17, 3:17, 7:14, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Chronicles 33:12, Proverbs 15:23, Matthew 16:3 +4

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Parallel theme: Job 7:1, 14:5, Isaiah 38:1, 38:5, 54:1, Matthew 15:13, Luke 1:20, John 16:21, Galatians 4:4, Hebrews 9:27 +5

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, 2:25, Isaiah 44:26, Jeremiah 31:28, 33:6, 45:4, Ezekiel 13:14, Zechariah 1:12 +4

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Parallel theme: Genesis 21:6, Exodus 15:20, 2 Samuel 6:16, Psalms 30:5, Matthew 9:15, 11:17, Luke 1:58, Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 7:10, James 4:9 +5

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; Parallel theme: Joshua 10:27, 2 Kings 3:25, Joel 2:16

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2 Kings 5:26, Psalms 112:9, Matthew 19:29, Acts 27:19, 27:38

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Parallel theme: Esther 7:4, Lamentations 3:28, Joel 2:13, Amos 5:13, Micah 7:5, Acts 4:20

8 A time to loveLove: אַהֲבָה / חֶסֶד (Ahavah / Chesed). Hebrew uses ahavah (אַהֲבָה) for love generally, but the covenant term chesed (חֶסֶד) describes God's steadfast, loyal love—faithful covenant commitment beyond mere emotion., and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Love: 2 Chronicles 19:2, Ezekiel 16:8, Ephesians 3:19, 5:25, Titus 2:4. Parallel theme: Joshua 11:23, 1 Kings 5:4, Psalms 139:21, Luke 14:26, Revelation 2:2 +5

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 1:3, 2:11, 5:16, Proverbs 14:23, Matthew 16:26

10 I have seen the travail, which GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. References God: Ecclesiastes 2:26. Parallel theme: Genesis 3:19

God's Works Are Eternal

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. References God: Ecclesiastes 8:17, Deuteronomy 32:4, Job 11:7, Romans 1:28, 11:33. Creation: Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 1:31, Psalms 104:24. Parallel theme: Job 5:9, Mark 7:37 +5

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Good: Psalms 37:3, 1 Timothy 6:18. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 3:22

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. References God: Ecclesiastes 9:7. Good: Ecclesiastes 2:24. Parallel theme: Psalms 128:2

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. References God: Acts 5:39, Titus 1:2. Parallel theme: Psalms 33:11, Proverbs 21:30, 30:6, Romans 11:36, James 1:17 +2

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. requireth that which is past. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 6:10

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice. and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Judgment: Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10. Righteousness: Psalms 98:9. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 16:27

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. Parallel theme: Psalms 49:12, 73:22, Romans 9:23, Hebrews 9:27, 2 Peter 2:12

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. Parallel theme: Psalms 49:12, 49:20

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 6:6, 9:10, 12:7, Genesis 3:19, Job 7:9, 34:15, Psalms 104:29 +2

21 Who knoweth the spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people. of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Spirit: Ecclesiastes 12:7. Parallel theme: John 14:3, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 1:23

22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 2:24, 6:12, 8:7, 10:14, 11:9