Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַּם֩
H1571
גַּם֩
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵדַ֨ע
also knoweth
H3045
יֵדַ֨ע
also knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הָֽאָדָ֔ם
For man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֔ם
For man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 23
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְעֵ֣ת
not his time
H6256
לְעֵ֣ת
not his time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
7 of 23
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הָאֲחֻז֖וֹת
that are caught
H270
הָאֲחֻז֖וֹת
that are caught
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
9 of 23
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
הָאֲחֻז֖וֹת
that are caught
H270
הָאֲחֻז֖וֹת
that are caught
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
13 of 23
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
בְּנֵ֣י
are the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
are the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָֽאָדָ֔ם
For man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֔ם
For man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
18 of 23
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לְעֵ֣ת
not his time
H6256
לְעֵ֣ת
not his time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
19 of 23
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
כְּשֶׁתִּפּ֥וֹל
when it falleth
H5307
כְּשֶׁתִּפּ֥וֹל
when it falleth
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
21 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.Proverbs 29:6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.Proverbs 6:15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.2 Timothy 2:26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.Isaiah 30:13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.Psalms 11:6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.2 Peter 2:12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;Ecclesiastes 8:11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.2 Corinthians 6:2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)Luke 12:39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
Historical Context
Ancient fishing with nets and bird hunting with snares were common subsistence activities, making these metaphors immediately accessible. The unpredictability of death was heightened in antiquity by disease, warfare, and limited medical knowledge.
Questions for Reflection
- How should awareness that you 'know not your time' shape daily priorities and readiness?
- In what ways might you be living as if disaster or death are distant rather than potentially sudden?
- What does spiritual readiness look like practically, given that calamity 'falleth suddenly'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For man also knoweth not his time (כִּי גַּם־לֹא־יֵדַע הָאָדָם אֶת־עִתּוֹ, ki gam-lo-yeda ha'adam et-itto)—humanity does not know its appointed moment, from et (time, season). As the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare (כַּדָּגִים שֶׁנֶּאֱחָזִים בִּמְצוֹדָה רָעָה וְכַצִּפֳּרִים הָאֲחֻזוֹת בַּפָּח, kaddagim shene'echazim bimtsodah ra'ah vekatsipporim ha'achuzot bapach)—vivid hunting imagery. So are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them (כָּהֵם יוּקָשִׁים בְּנֵי הָאָדָם לְעֵת רָעָה כְּשֶׁתִּפּוֹל עֲלֵיהֶם פִּתְאֹם, kahem yuqashim benei ha'adam le'et ra'ah keshetippol aleihem pit'om).
Qoheleth employs nature's brutal metaphors: fish unaware of the net closing, birds oblivious to the snare's trigger—both caught instantly, helplessly. The phrase 'evil time' (et ra'ah) refers not to moral evil but calamity or disaster that strikes pit'om (suddenly, unexpectedly). This isn't fatalism but realism about mortality and crisis—we don't know our 'time' of death, judgment, or sudden reversal. Jesus used similar imagery: 'As were the days of Noah... they were unaware until the flood came' (Matthew 24:37-39). James warns, 'You do not know what tomorrow will bring' (James 4:14). The antidote isn't paranoia but readiness: 'Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect' (Luke 12:40).