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Ecclesiastes 3:6 a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 3:6 a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/21_Ecc_03_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:6 - To Everything There is a Season" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:5">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 3:6 <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A time to search and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />a time to start looking and a time to stop looking, a time to keep and a time to throw away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He sets the time for finding and the time for losing, the time for saving and the time for throwing away, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to search, and a time to give up searching; a time to keep, and a time to discard;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A time to seek, "" And a time to destroy. A time to keep, "" And a time to cast away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to watch, and a time to cast away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A time to gain, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A time to lose and a time to seek; a time to tie up and a time to untie;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A time to lose and a time to seek, a time to bind up and a time to loose<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=490" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">To Everything There is a Season</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: lə·ḇaq·qêš (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">to search</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: wə·‘êṯ (Conj-w:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">and a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: lə·’ab·bêḏ (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">to count as lost,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: liš·mō·wr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">to keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: wə·‘êṯ (Conj-w:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">and a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: lə·haš·lîḵ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">to discard,</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-8.htm">Luke 15:8-9</a></span><br />Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? / And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-8</a></span><br />But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44-46</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24-25</a></span><br />One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Luke 12:33-34</a></span><br />Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17-19</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25-26</a></span><br />For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. / What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36-37</a></span><br />What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Hebrews 10:34</a></span><br />You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></span><br />saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Proverbs 3:13-14</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">1 Samuel 9:3-4</a></span><br />One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” / So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;</p><p class="hdg">time to get</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-30.htm">Genesis 30:30</a></b></br> For <i>it was</i> little which thou hadst before I <i>came</i>, and it is <i>now</i> increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-18.htm">Genesis 31:18</a></b></br> And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Exodus 12:35,36</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: … </p><p class="hdg">an a time to lose</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25,26</a></b></br> For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a></b></br> And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/8-35.htm">Mark 8:35-37</a></b></br> For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it… </p><p class="hdg">and a time to cast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1</a></b></br> Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/7-15.htm">2 Kings 7:15</a></b></br> And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way <i>was</i> full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/112-9.htm">Psalm 112:9</a></b></br> He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-3.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-4.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm">Search</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">is an excellence in God's works</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>a time to search</b><br>This phrase suggests a period of active pursuit or seeking, which can be applied to various aspects of life, such as searching for wisdom, truth, or material needs. Biblically, searching is often associated with seeking God (<a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>) or His wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4-5</a>). The act of searching implies a sense of purpose and determination, reflecting the human desire to find meaning and fulfillment. In the historical context of ancient Israel, searching could also relate to the pursuit of lost property or reconciliation with others.<p><b>and a time to count as lost</b><br>This phrase acknowledges the reality of loss and the necessity of recognizing when something cannot be recovered. It reflects the wisdom in accepting limitations and moving forward. In biblical terms, this can relate to the concept of surrendering to God's will, as seen in Job's acceptance of his losses (<a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a>). The cultural context of the time would have understood loss in terms of both material possessions and relationships, emphasizing the importance of discernment in knowing when to let go.<p><b>a time to keep</b><br>This phrase highlights the importance of preservation and stewardship. In biblical terms, keeping can refer to maintaining faithfulness to God's commandments (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-17.htm">Deuteronomy 6:17</a>) or safeguarding what is valuable, whether it be relationships, possessions, or spiritual truths. The historical context of ancient Israel placed great value on the preservation of family heritage and land, which were seen as blessings from God.<p><b>and a time to discard</b><br>This phrase suggests the necessity of letting go of what is no longer beneficial or necessary. Biblically, this can be seen in the call to cast off sin (<a href="/hebrews/12.htm">Hebrews 12:1</a>) or to leave behind old ways of life (<a href="/ephesians/4-22.htm">Ephesians 4:22</a>). The cultural context would have understood discarding in terms of purifying one's life and community, removing what is unclean or detrimental. This reflects a broader spiritual principle of renewal and transformation, aligning with the teachings of Jesus on prioritizing the kingdom of God (<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation of Israel serves as the backdrop for Solomon's reign and the context in which Ecclesiastes was written. The cultural and historical setting of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of the book.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The term "Qoheleth" is often translated as "The Preacher" or "The Teacher," referring to the speaker in Ecclesiastes who reflects on the meaning of life and the human experience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_life's_seasons.htm">Discernment in Life's Seasons</a></b><br>Life involves various seasons, and wisdom is needed to discern when to search and when to let go. This discernment requires prayer and seeking God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/valuing_eternal_over_temporal.htm">Valuing Eternal Over Temporal</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to prioritize eternal values over temporary possessions. This involves evaluating what we hold onto and what we are willing to release for the sake of God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_and_trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Contentment and Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Trusting in God's perfect timing helps us to be content with what we have and to let go of what is not beneficial. This trust is rooted in faith that God knows what is best for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_stewardship.htm">Practical Stewardship</a></b><br>Practicing good stewardship involves knowing when to keep resources and when to give them away. This stewardship reflects our responsibility to manage God's blessings wisely.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_is_it_time_to_keep_or_discard.htm">When is it time to keep or discard?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'righteous_man_falls_7_times'.htm">When is it time to keep or discard?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_info_source.htm">Where did the information in the Bible come from?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ecclesiastes_6_3__100_kids_possible_then.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:3 - How is it feasible for one man to have a hundred children in ancient times, given historical and demographic realities?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">To lose.--</span>Elsewhere this word means to destroy, but in the later Hebrew it comes to mean to lose, like the Latin "perdere."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A time to get</span> (seek), <span class="cmt_word">and a time to lose</span>. The verb <span class="accented">abad</span>, in piel, is used in the sense of "to destroy" (<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:7</a>), and it is only in late Hebrew that it signifies, as here, "to lose." The reference is doubtless to property, and has no connection with the last clause of the preceding verse, as Delitzsch would opine. There is a proper and lawful pursuit of wealth, and there is a wise and prudent submission to its inevitable loss. The loss here is occasioned by events over which the owner has no control, differing from that in the next clause, which is voluntary. The wise man knows when to exert his energy in improving his fortune, and when to hold his hand and take failure without useless struggle. Loss, too, is sometimes gain, as when Christ's departure in the flesh was the prelude and the occasion of the sending of the Comforter (<a href="/john/16-7.htm">John 16:7</a>); and there are many things of which we know not the real value till they are beyond our grasp. <span class="cmt_word">A time to keep, and a time to cast away.</span> Prudence will make fast what it has won, and will endeavor to preserve it unimpaired. But there are occasions when it is wiser to deprive one's self of some things in order to secure more important ends, as when sailors throw a cargo, etc., overboard in order to save their ship (comp. <a href="/jonah/1-5.htm">Jonah 1:5</a>; <a href="/acts/27-18.htm">Acts 27:18, 19, 38</a>). And in higher matters, such as almsgiving, this maxim holds good: "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth.... The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself" (<a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24, 25</a>). Plumptre refers to Christ's so-called paradox," Whosoever would (<span class="greek">ο{ς α}ν θέλῃ</span>) save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it" (<a href="/matthew/16-25.htm">Matthew 16:25</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">a time</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to search</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַקֵּשׁ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a time</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to count as lost,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַבֵּ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ab·bêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wander away, lose oneself, to perish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a time</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to keep</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁמ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(liš·mō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a time</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to discard,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַשְׁלִֽיךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haš·lîḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> </span><span class="str2">To throw out, down, away</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:6 A time to seek and a time (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>