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Ecclesiastes 3

BSB·22 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1To everythingלַכֹּ֖לlak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → there is a seasonזְמָ֑ןzə·mān — appointed time, season, fixed occasionH2165 — Full Word Study →, and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → for everyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → purposeחֵ֖פֶץḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → underתַּ֥חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → heavenהַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃סhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →: 2a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to be bornלָלֶ֖דֶתlā·le·ḏeṯ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to dieלָמ֑וּתlā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֣ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to plantלָטַ֔עַתlā·ṭa·‘aṯ — to plant, establish, or fix firmlyH5193 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֖תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to uprootלַעֲק֥וֹרla·‘ă·qō·wr — to uproot; to hamstring; to destroy completelyH6131 — Full Word Study →, 3a timeעֵ֤ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to killלַהֲרוֹג֙la·hă·rō·wḡ — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to healלִרְפּ֔וֹאlir·pō·w — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to break downלִפְר֖וֹץlip̄·rō·wṣ — to break through, breach, or burst forthH6555 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to buildלִבְנֽוֹת׃liḇ·nō·wṯ — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study →, 4a timeעֵ֤ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to weepלִבְכּוֹת֙liḇ·kō·wṯ — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to laughלִשְׂח֔וֹקliś·ḥō·wq — to laugh, mock, or make sportH7832 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to mournסְפ֖וֹדsə·p̄ō·wḏ — to mourn, lament, wailH5594 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to danceרְקֽוֹד׃rə·qō·wḏ — to dance, leap, or skip about with movementH7540 — Full Word Study →, 5a timeעֵ֚ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to cast awayלְהַשְׁלִ֣יךְlə·haš·lîḵ — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study → stonesאֲבָנִ֔ים’ă·ḇā·nîm — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֖תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to gatherכְּנ֣וֹסkə·nō·ws — to gather together, assemble, collectH3664 — Full Word Study → stones together, a timeעֵ֣ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to embraceלַחֲב֔וֹקla·ḥă·ḇō·wq — to embrace, clasp, or hold closelyH2263 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֖תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to refrainלִרְחֹ֥קlir·ḥōq — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study → from embracingמֵחַבֵּֽק׃mê·ḥab·bêq — to embrace, clasp, or hold closelyH2263 — Full Word Study →, 6a timeעֵ֤ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to searchלְבַקֵּשׁ֙lə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to count as lostלְאַבֵּ֔דlə·’ab·bêḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to keepלִשְׁמ֖וֹרliš·mō·wr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to discardלְהַשְׁלִֽיךְ׃lə·haš·lîḵ — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study →, 7a timeעֵ֤ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to tearלִקְר֙וֹעַ֙liq·rō·w·a‘ — to tear, rend, or split apartH7167 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to mendלִתְפּ֔וֹרliṯ·pō·wr — to sew, stitch togetherH8609 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to be silentלַחֲשׁ֖וֹתla·ḥă·šō·wṯ — to be silent, keep silence, hold peaceH2814 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to speakלְדַבֵּֽר׃lə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, 8a timeעֵ֤ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to loveלֶֽאֱהֹב֙le·’ĕ·hōḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֣תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → to hateלִשְׂנֹ֔אliś·nō — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →, a timeעֵ֥ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → for warמִלְחָמָ֖הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → and a timeוְעֵ֥תwə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → for peaceשָׁלֽוֹם׃סšā·lō·wm — Peace, wholeness, well-being, prosperityH7965 — Full Word Study →. 9Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → does the workerהָֽעוֹשֶׂ֔הhā·‘ō·w·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → gainיִּתְרוֹן֙yiṯ·rō·wn — advantage, profit, superiority, what remainsH3504 — Full Word Study → from hisה֥וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → toilעָמֵֽל׃‘ā·mêl — laborer; toil; trouble; miseryH6001 — Full Word Study →? 10I have seenרָאִ֣יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the burdenהָֽעִנְיָ֗ןhā·‘in·yān — task, business, or occupation; labor or work undertakenH6045 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֛ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has laidנָתַ֧ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → upon the sonsלִבְנֵ֥יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of menהָאָדָ֖םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → to occupyלַעֲנ֥וֹתla·‘ă·nō·wṯ — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → them. 11He has madeעָשָׂ֖ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → everythingהַכֹּ֥לhak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → beautifulיָפֶ֣הyā·p̄eh — Beautiful, fair, or lovely in appearanceH3303 — Full Word Study → in its timeבְעִתּ֑וֹḇə·‘it·tōw — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study →. He has alsoגַּ֤םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → setנָתַ֣ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → eternityהָעֹלָם֙hā·‘ō·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → in the hearts of men, yetמִבְּלִ֞יmib·bə·lî — without, lack of, absenceH1097 — Full Word Study → they cannotלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → fathomיִמְצָ֣אyim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → the workהַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֛הham·ma·‘ă·śeh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has doneעָשָׂ֥ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → from beginningמֵרֹ֥אשׁmê·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → toוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → endסֽוֹף׃sō·wp̄ — end, conclusion, terminationH5490 — Full Word Study →. 12I knowיָדַ֕עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there is nothingאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → betterט֖וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → for them thanכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → to rejoiceלִשְׂמ֔וֹחַliś·mō·w·aḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → and doוְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתwə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → goodט֖וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → while they liveבְּחַיָּֽיו׃bə·ḥay·yāw — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, 13and alsoוְגַ֤םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → that everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → manהָאָדָם֙hā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → should eatשֶׁיֹּאכַ֣לše·yō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkוְשָׁתָ֔הwə·šā·ṯāh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → and findוְרָאָ֥הwə·rā·’āh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → satisfactionט֖וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → in allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his laborעֲמָל֑וֹ‘ă·mā·lōw — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study →this isהִֽיא׃hî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → the giftמַתַּ֥תmat·taṯ — A gift or present given voluntarilyH4991 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 14I knowיָדַ֗עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֠יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → everythingכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִים֙hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → doesיַעֲשֶׂ֤הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → endures foreverיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →; nothingאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → can be addedלְהוֹסִ֔יףlə·hō·w·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → to itעָלָיו֙‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → or takenלִגְרֹ֑עַliḡ·rō·a‘ — to diminish, reduce, or take awayH1639 — Full Word Study → from itוּמִמֶּ֖נּוּū·mim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. Godוְהָאֱלֹהִ֣יםwə·hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → does it so that they should fearשֶׁיִּֽרְא֖וּše·yir·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → Himמִלְּפָנָֽיו׃mil·lə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →. 15What existsמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → has alreadyכְּבָ֣רkə·ḇār — Already, now, by this timeH3528 — Full Word Study → beenשֶּֽׁהָיָה֙še·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, and whatוַאֲשֶׁ֥רwa·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → will beלִהְי֖וֹתlih·yō·wṯ — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → has alreadyכְּבָ֣רkə·ḇār — Already, now, by this timeH3528 — Full Word Study → beenהָיָ֑הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, for Godוְהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםwə·hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will call to accountיְבַקֵּ֥שׁyə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → what has passedנִרְדָּֽף׃nir·dāp̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study →. 16Furthermoreוְע֥וֹדwə·‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study →, I sawרָאִ֖יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → underתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁhaš·šā·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → that in the placeמְק֤וֹםmə·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → of judgmentהַמִּשְׁפָּט֙ham·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → there isשָׁ֣מָּהšām·māh — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → wickednessהָרֶ֔שַׁעhā·re·ša‘ — Wickedness, moral evil, depravityH7562 — Full Word Study →, and in the placeוּמְק֥וֹםū·mə·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → of righteousnessהַצֶּ֖דֶקhaṣ·ṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → there isשָׁ֥מָּהšām·māh — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → wickednessהָרָֽשַׁע׃hā·rā·ša‘ — Wickedness, moral evil, depravityH7562 — Full Word Study →. 17Iאֲנִי֙’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → saidאָמַ֤רְתִּֽי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → in my heartבְּלִבִּ֔יbə·lib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, “Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will judgeיִשְׁפֹּ֖טyiš·pōṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → the righteousהַצַּדִּיק֙haṣ·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → the wickedהָ֣רָשָׁ֔עhā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there is a timeעֵ֣ת‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → for everyלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → activityחֵ֔פֶץḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → and everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → deedהַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖הham·ma·‘ă·śeh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →.” 18Iאֲנִי֙’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → saidאָמַ֤רְתִּֽי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to myselfבְּלִבִּ֔יbə·lib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, “As forעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the sonsבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of menהָאָדָ֔םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → tests themלְבָרָ֖םlə·ḇā·rām — To purify, refine, make clean or brightH1305 — Full Word Study → so that they may seeוְלִרְא֕וֹתwə·lir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → for themselvesשְׁהֶם־šə·hem- — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → that theyהֵ֖מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → are but beastsבְּהֵמָ֥הbə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →.” 19Forכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the fatesמִקְרֶ֨הmiq·reh — accident, chance occurrence, happenstanceH4745 — Full Word Study → of both men and beastsהַבְּהֵמָ֗הhab·bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study → are the sameאֶחָד֙’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study →: As oneזֶה֙zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → diesכְּמ֥וֹתkə·mō·wṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →, soכֵּ֣ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → diesמ֣וֹתmō·wṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study → the otherזֶ֔הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study →they allלַכֹּ֑לlak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → have the sameאֶחָ֖ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → breathוְר֥וּחַwə·rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →. Manהָאָדָ֤םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → has noאָ֔יִן’ā·yin — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → advantageוּמוֹתַ֨רū·mō·w·ṯar — Advantage, profit, or superiorityH4195 — Full Word Study → overמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the animalsהַבְּהֵמָה֙hab·bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → everythingהַכֹּ֖לhak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → is futileהָֽבֶל׃hā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →. 20Allהַכֹּ֥לhak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → goהוֹלֵ֖ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → oneאֶחָ֑ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → placeמָק֣וֹםmā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →; allהַכֹּל֙hak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → comeהָיָ֣הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → dustהֶֽעָפָ֔רhe·‘ā·p̄ār — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study →, and allוְהַכֹּ֖לwə·hak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → returnשָׁ֥בšāḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → dustהֶעָפָֽר׃he·‘ā·p̄ār — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study →. 21Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → knowsיוֹדֵ֗עַyō·w·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → if the spiritר֚וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of manבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → risesהָעֹלָ֥הhā·‘ō·lāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → upwardלְמָ֑עְלָהlə·mā·‘ə·lāh — Above, over, upward; superiority in place or rankH4605 — Full Word Study → and the spiritוְר֙וּחַ֙wə·rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of the animalהַבְּהֵמָ֔הhab·bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study → descendsהַיֹּרֶ֥דֶתhay·yō·re·ḏeṯ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → into the earthלָאָֽרֶץ׃lā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →? 22I have seenוְרָאִ֗יתִיwə·rā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there is nothingאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → betterטוֹב֙ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → for a manהָאָדָם֙hā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → thanמֵאֲשֶׁ֨רmê·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → to enjoyיִשְׂמַ֤חyiś·maḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → his workבְּֽמַעֲשָׂ֔יוbə·ma·‘ă·śāw — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → thatה֖וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is his lotחֶלְק֑וֹḥel·qōw — portion, allotment, flatteryH2506 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → whoמִ֤יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can bring himיְבִיאֶ֙נּוּ֙yə·ḇî·’en·nū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to seeלִרְא֔וֹתlir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → whatבְּמֶ֖הbə·meh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → will comeשֶׁיִּהְיֶ֥הše·yih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → after himאַחֲרָֽיו׃’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →?
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Chapter Commentary — Ecclesiastes 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Ecclesiastes 3 presents one of Scripture's most beloved passages on God's sovereign timing and the rhythms of human life. The Preacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) opens with the famous declaration that there is a season for everything—birth and death, planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing. While the passage celebrates God's perfect timing, it also wrestles with a sobering reality: despite our labor and the patterns we observe, true understanding of God's ultimate purposes remains beyond our reach. The chapter moves from affirming life's structured seasons toward a honest acknowledgment of human limitation and mortality, ultimately pointing us toward contentment and reverence for God.

Verses 1-8: The Times and Seasons of Life

The opening verses present fourteen contrasting pairs of human experiences, each with its appointed season. From birth to death (v. 2), from planting to uprooting (v. 2), from killing to healing (v. 3), from weeping to laughing (v. 4)—the Preacher demonstrates that life encompasses opposite experiences, and each has its proper time. The passage is not suggesting that all activities are morally equivalent, but rather that God has established rhythms and purposes for the varying conditions of human existence. Verses 5-8 continue with further pairs: silence and speech, embracing and restraint, getting and losing, war and peace.

The practical application here is profound: we need wisdom to discern timing. There is a time to act forcefully and a time to show restraint. There is a time to speak truth boldly and a time to listen quietly. Many spiritual struggles arise when we do the right thing at the wrong time. A pastor must know when to rebuke and when to comfort; a parent must discern when to discipline and when to encourage. This passage calls us to pray for discernment in navigating life's seasons rather than assuming one approach fits all circumstances.

Verses 9-11: The Question of Profit and God's Hidden Work

Here the Preacher abruptly shifts tone. After celebrating life's seasons, he asks: What profit is there in all our toil? (v. 9). This reflects his recurring theme of life's apparent meaninglessness. Yet verse 11 offers a crucial corrective: God has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has placed eternity in our hearts—a deep longing for permanence and meaning that this world alone cannot satisfy. Though we cannot fully comprehend God's work from beginning to end, we can trust that He is working purposefully.

This teaches us that our inability to see the whole picture is not a cause for despair but for faith and humility. We are invited to do our work faithfully, to appreciate beauty and goodness as they appear, and to rest in God's sovereign oversight even when we cannot trace His path.

Verses 12-22: Mortality, Judgment, and Finding Contentment

The final section grows darker. The Preacher observes that the only good is to rejoice and do good (v. 12), to eat, drink, and enjoy our labor as God's gift (v. 13). Yet he also confronts hard truths: human and animal mortality are virtually indistinguishable (vv. 19-20), and no one knows what truly becomes of the human spirit after death (v. 21).

Rather than leading to nihilism, this honest reckoning drives the Preacher toward a sober wisdom: rejoice in your own works, for that is your portion (v. 22). Work itself, done as unto God, is a legitimate good. We are called to find contentment in faithful labor and simple pleasures, recognizing both our creaturely limitations and God's unchanging sovereignty (v. 14).

Application for Today

Ecclesiastes 3 speaks powerfully to anxious modern believers. We live in an age of relentless striving, yet this chapter invites us to trust God's timing, to do good work without demanding ultimate answers, and to find joy in simple obedience. Whether facing seasons of loss or gain, sorrow or celebration, we honor God by accepting His rhythms, exercising wisdom in our choices, and resting in His eternal purposes even when we cannot fully see them. This is the contentment Jesus called blessed.

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