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<!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 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/21_Ecc_03_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To Everything There is a Season" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:" /><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'; 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And there is a time for every matter under heaven—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight <i>and</i> event <i>or</i> purpose under heaven—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />There is a season for everything, and a time for every event under heaven: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />To everything—a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To everything -- a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To all a season, and a time to every inclination under the heavens:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />All things have their time, and all things under heaven continue during their interval.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />TO everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the sun:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />To everything there is a time, and a time for every matter under the sun<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />To all things there is a time, and a season for every matter under heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-1.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=448" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lak·kōl (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">To everything</a> <a href="/hebrew/2165.htm" title="2165: zə·mān (N-ms) -- Appointed time, time. From zaman; an appointed occasion.">there is a season,</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/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">for every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2656.htm" title="2656: ḥê·p̄eṣ (N-ms) -- Delight, pleasure. From chaphets; pleasure; hence desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence a matter.">purpose</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">heaven:</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,…<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="/genesis/8-22.htm">Genesis 8:22</a></span><br />As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-19.htm">Psalm 104:19</a></span><br />He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a></span><br />He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></span><br />Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></span><br />From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4</a></span><br />But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-15</a></span><br />Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:1-2</a></span><br />Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. / For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-36.htm">Matthew 24:36</a></span><br />No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8</a></span><br />Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-5.htm">Job 14:5</a></span><br />Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a></span><br />A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-15.htm">Psalm 31:15</a></span><br />My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:</p><p class="hdg">every thing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17</a></b></br> I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for <i>there is</i> a time there for every purpose and for every work.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:14</a></b></br> In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:5,6</a></b></br> Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment… </p><p class="hdg">under</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13</a></b></br> And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all <i>things</i> that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:3,17</a></b></br> I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what <i>was</i> that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/24-5.htm">Activity</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Business</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm">Event</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-3.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-2.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-11.htm">Season</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-10.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Activity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Business</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-16.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Event</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Season</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.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'; 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The word "season" implies a fixed, appointed time, suggesting that God has established specific periods for all events and activities. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over creation, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>, where God orders the cosmos. The cyclical nature of seasons also mirrors the agricultural cycles familiar to the ancient Near Eastern context, where the Israelites lived. This understanding of time as divinely appointed is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a>, which speaks of God changing times and seasons.<p><b>and a time for every purpose under heaven:</b><br>This phrase emphasizes that every event and action has its appropriate moment, ordained by God. The word "purpose" indicates intentionality and design, suggesting that nothing occurs by chance. The phrase "under heaven" denotes the earthly realm, highlighting the distinction between God's eternal perspective and human temporal experience. This aligns with the biblical narrative of God's providence, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a>, where all things work together for good according to God's purpose. The idea of appointed times is also reflected in the life of Jesus Christ, whose ministry unfolded according to divine timing, as seen in <a href="/john/7-6.htm">John 7:6</a>, where Jesus speaks of His time not yet being fulfilled.<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 son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, reflecting on the meaning and purpose of life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation where Solomon reigned as king. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores life's complexities and the search for meaning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_timing.htm">Understanding Divine Timing</a></b><br>Recognize that God has ordained specific times and seasons for every aspect of life. Trust in His perfect timing, even when it is not immediately clear to us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/embracing_life's_seasons.htm">Embracing Life's Seasons</a></b><br>Each season of life, whether joyful or challenging, has a purpose. Embrace and learn from each phase, knowing that God is at work in all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purposeful_living.htm">Purposeful Living</a></b><br>Seek to understand and fulfill God's purpose in your current season. Reflect on how you can align your actions and decisions with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_and_trust.htm">Patience and Trust</a></b><br>Cultivate patience and trust in God's plan. When faced with uncertainty, rely on His wisdom and timing rather than your own understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_change.htm">Reflecting on Change</a></b><br>Life is full of changes and transitions. Reflect on how past seasons have shaped you and prepare for future ones with faith and hope.<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/how_can_skeptics_trust_ecclesiastes_3.htm">Given the limited historical context supporting the authorship of Ecclesiastes 3, how can skeptics trust the text’s authenticity and reliability?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_3_1_fit_chaos_today.htm">How does Ecclesiastes 3:1 align with the seemingly random and chaotic nature of modern events, such as natural disasters and accidents? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_marks_the_right_time_for_events.htm">What signifies the proper time for every event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_a_right_time_for_everything.htm">Is there a right time for every action?</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>(1) <span class= "bld">A season.</span>--The word is only found in later Hebrew (<a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm" title="And the king said to me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall your journey be? and when will you return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.">Nehemiah 2:6</a>; <a href="/esther/9-27.htm" title="The Jews ordained, and took on them, and on their seed, and on all such as joined themselves to them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;">Esther 9:27</a>; <a href="/esther/9-31.htm" title="To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.">Esther 9:31</a>), and in the Chaldee of Daniel and Ezra.<p><span class= "bld">Purpose.</span>--The use of the word here and in <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm" title="I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.">Ecclesiastes 3:17</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm" title="If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they.">Ecclesiastes 5:8</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm" title="Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great on him.">Ecclesiastes 8:6</a>, in the general sense of "a matter," belongs to later Hebrew. The primary meaning of the word is "pleasure<span class= "ital">" </span>or "desire," and it is so used in this book (<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm" title="When you vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which you have vowed.">Ecclesiastes 5:4</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm" title="Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;">Ecclesiastes 12:1</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm" title="The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.">Ecclesiastes 12:10</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-22.</span> - Section 4. In confirmation of the truth that man's happiness depends upon the will of God, Koheleth proceeds to show how <span class="accented">Providence arranges even the minutest concerns</span>; <span class="accented">that man can alter nothing</span>, <span class="accented">must make the best of things as they are</span>, <span class="accented">bear with anomalies</span>, <span class="accented">bounding his desires by this present life</span>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-8.</span> - The providence of God disposes and arranges every detail of man's life. This proposition is stated first generally, and then worked out in particular by means of antithetical sentences. In Hebrew manuscripts and most printed texts vers. 2-8 are arranged in two parallel columns, so that one "time" always stands under another. A similar arrangement is found in <a href="/joshua/12-9.htm">Joshua 12:9</a>, etc., containing the catalogue of the conquered Canaanite kings; and in <a href="/esther/9-7.htm">Esther 9:7</a>, etc., giving the names of Haman's tensions. In the present passage we have fourteen pairs of contrasts, ranging from external circumstances to the inner affections of man's being. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To every thing there is u season, and a time to every purpose under heaven</span>. . "Season" and "time" are rendered by the LXX. <span class="greek">καιρός</span> and <span class="greek">χρόνος</span>. The word for "season" (<span class="accented">zeman</span>), denotes a fixed, definite portion of time; while <span class="accented">eth</span>, "<span class="accented">time</span>," signifies rather the beginning of a period, or is used as a general appellation. The two ideas are sometimes concurrent in the New Testament; <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, <a href="/acts/1-7.htm">Acts 1:7</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:1</a> (comp. also <a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a>, where the Septuagint has <span class="greek">καιροὺς καὶ χρόνοις</span>; and <a href="/daniel/7-12.htm">Daniel 7:12</a>, where we find the singular <span class="greek">καιροῦ καὶ</span> <span class="greek">καιροῦ</span> in Theodotion, and <span class="greek">χρόνου καὶ καιροῦ</span> in the Septuagint). So in Wisd. 8:8, "wisdom to foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times (<span class="greek">ἐκβάσεις</span> <span class="greek">καιρῶν καὶ χρόνων</span>)." <span class="accented">Every thing</span> refers especially to men's movements and actions, and to what concerns them. <span class="accented">Purpose</span>; <span class="accented">chephets</span>, originally meaning "delight," "pleasure," in the later Hebrew came to signify "<span class="accented">business</span>," "thing," "<span class="accented">matter</span>." The proposition is - In human affairs Providence arranges the moment when everything shall happen, the duration of its operation, and the time appropriate thereto. The view of the writer takes in the whole circumstances of men's life from its commencement to its close. But the thought is not, as some have opined, that there is naught but uncertainty, fluctuation, and imperfection in human affairs, nor, as Plumptre conceives, "It is wisdom to do the right thing at the right time, that inopportuneness is the bane of life," for many of the circumstances mentioned, e.g. birth and death, are entirely beyond men's will and control, and the maxim, <span class="greek">Καιρὸν γνῶθι</span>, cannot apply to man in such cases. Kobeleth is confirming his assertion, made in the last chapter, that wisdom, wealth, success, happiness, etc., are not in man's hands, that his own efforts can secure none of them - they are distributed at the will of God. He establishes this dictum by entering into details, and showing the ordering of Providence and the supremacy of God in all men's concerns, the most trivial as well as the most important. The Vulgate gives a paraphrase, and not a very exact one, <span class="accented">Omnia tempus habeat</span>, <span class="accented">et</span> suis <span class="accented">spatiis transenat universa sub caelo</span>. Koheleth intimates, without attempting to reconcile, the great <span class="accented">crux</span> of man's free-will and God's decree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-1.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">To everything</span><br /><span class="heb">לַכֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(lak·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is a season,</span><br /><span class="heb">זְמָ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(zə·mān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2165.htm">Strong's 2165: </a> </span><span class="str2">An appointed occasion</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">for every</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">purpose</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵ֖פֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·p̄eṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2656.htm">Strong's 2656: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֥חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heaven:</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:2" /></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>