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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New International Version</a> I said to myself, &#8220God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.” <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.” <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a> I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> I said to myself, &#8220God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,&#8221 for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> I said to myself, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I said in my heart, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every matter and for every work is there. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I said to myself, “God will judge both the righteous and the wicked,” for there is a time [appointed] for every matter and for every deed. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.” <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I said to myself, &#8220God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.&#8221 <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So I told myself that God has set a time and a place for everything. He will judge everyone, both the wicked and the good. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I thought to myself, "God will judge righteous people as well as wicked people, because there is a specific time for every activity and every work that is done." <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> I told myself, "God is going to judge the righteous and the evil alike, because every thing, every action, will happen at its own set time." <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> I told myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked, because there is a time set to judge every event and every work." <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I said in my heart, ?God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.? <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a> I thought to myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked; for there is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a> I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I said in my heart, “The righteous and the wicked God judges, for a time [is] to every matter and for every work there.” <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I said in my heart, 'The righteous and the wicked doth God judge, for a time is to every matter and for every work there.' <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I said in my heart, The just one and the unjust one, God will judge: for a time for every inclination and for every work there.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I said in my heart: “God will judge the just and the impious, and then the time for each matter shall be.” <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a> I said in my heart, both the just and the wicked God will judge, since a time is set for every affair and for every work. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for he has appointed a time for every matter, and for every work.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time for every purpose and for every work. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I said in my heart:" the righteous and the wicked God judges, because there is a time for every matter and every work"<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.' <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: for there is a time there for every action and for every work. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=592" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">From Dust to Dust</a> 16Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17<a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: bə·lib·bî (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">in my heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">“God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: yiš·pōṭ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To judge, govern. ">will judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: haṣ·ṣad·dîq (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">the righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: hā·rā·šā‘ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">the wicked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">since</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">there is 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.">activity</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and every</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ham·ma·‘ă·śeh (Art:: N-ms) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">deed.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> 18I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/2-6.htm">Romans 2:6-8</a> God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a> For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. <a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Revelation 20:12</a> And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a> When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. ... <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a> For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” <a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a> Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, <a href="/james/5-9.htm">James 5:9</a> Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door! <a href="/1_peter/4-5.htm">1 Peter 4:5</a> But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. <a href="/revelation/22-12.htm">Revelation 22:12</a> “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. <a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a> Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. <a href="/psalms/96-13.htm">Psalm 96:13</a> before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. <a href="/psalms/98-9.htm">Psalm 98:9</a> before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity. <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. <a href="/isaiah/3-13.htm">Isaiah 3:13-14</a> The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. / The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. <a href="/malachi/3-18.htm">Malachi 3:18</a> So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.said<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:16</a> I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:1</a> I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.God<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a> For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.<a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a> That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?<a href="/psalms/98-9.htm">Psalm 98:9</a> Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.for<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:1</a> To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10,11</a> For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place… <a href="/daniel/11-40.htm">Daniel 11:40</a> And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Activity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-27.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-3.htm">Activity</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-14.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-22.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 3</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail</a> 11. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">is an excellence in God's works</a> 16. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast</a> </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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In biblical literature, the "heart" often represents the center of thought and emotion. This internal dialogue suggests a moment of wisdom or revelation, akin to the psalmists who often speak to their own souls (<a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Psalm 42:5</a>).God will judge the righteous and the wicked This statement affirms the belief in divine justice, a central theme throughout Scripture. It echoes the sentiments found in <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1</a>, where the fate of the righteous and the wicked are contrasted. The assurance of God's judgment is a recurring theme, providing comfort that ultimate justice will prevail, as seen in <a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Revelation 20:12</a>, where all are judged according to their deeds.since there is a time for every activity and every deed This phrase ties back to the earlier verses in <a href="/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Ecclesiastes 3</a>, which poetically describe a time for every purpose under heaven. It underscores the belief in God's sovereign timing and order in the universe. The concept of appointed times is also seen in the prophetic literature, such as <a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a>, where God changes times and seasons, and in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of the fulfillment of time (<a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a>). This understanding of divine timing reassures believers that God's plans are perfect and will come to fruition in His appointed time.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. He reflects on the nature of life and God's judgment. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The ultimate judge who will evaluate the actions of both the righteous and the wicked. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_righteous_and_the_wicked.htm">The Righteous and the Wicked</a> Represents all of humanity, divided by their moral and spiritual alignment with God's will. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a> The event or process where God evaluates human actions, determining their moral and spiritual value. 5. <a href="/topical/t/time.htm">Time</a> A recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the divine order and timing for every event and action under heaven.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a> God is the ultimate judge, and His timing is perfect. We can trust that He will bring justice in His time. <a href="/topical/m/moral_accountability.htm">Moral Accountability</a> Every action, whether righteous or wicked, is subject to God's judgment. This should encourage us to live with integrity and righteousness. <a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_judgment.htm">The Certainty of Judgment</a> Judgment is not a possibility but a certainty. This should motivate us to examine our lives and align them with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_time_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Time in God's Plan</a> Understanding that there is a time for every activity can help us trust in God's timing and plan for our lives. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_an_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with an Eternal Perspective</a> Knowing that our deeds will be judged should inspire us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 3</a> <a href="/q/why_doesn't_ecclesiastes_4_1_condemn_oppressors.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:1 speaks of oppression but offers no clear solution—why doesn’t the text explicitly condemn or address the oppressors? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_prolonged_suffering.htm">If God’s “arm is not too short” (Isaiah 59:1), why do we see prolonged suffering and injustice without divine intervention in this narrative? </a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_7_16_conflict_with_matthew_6_33.htm">In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being 'overly righteous' is discouraged--doesn't this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_the_wicked_thrive_and_righteous_suffer.htm">In Job 36:6-7, where it states the righteous are exalted while the wicked are cut off, why do wicked individuals often thrive, and the righteous sometimes suffer?</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>(17) A time there--viz., with God. In this verse a judgment after this life is clearly spoken of, but not yet asserted as a conclusion definitely adopted, but only as a belief of the writer's conflicting with the doubts expressed in the following verses. "1 said in mine heart," with which <a href="/context/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 3:17-18</a> both begin, conveys the idea, "I thought," and yet again I thought." The writer returns again to speak of the punishment of the wicked in <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-15.htm" title="Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.">Ecclesiastes 8:15</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm" title="Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes: but know you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.">Ecclesiastes 11:9</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked. In view of the injustice that prevails in earthly tribunals, Koheleth takes comfort in the thought that there is retribution in store for every man. when God shall award sentence according to deserts. God is a righteous Judge strong and patient, and his decisions are infallible. Future judgment is here plainly stated, as it is at the final conclusion (Ecclesiastes 11:14). They who refuse to credit the writer with belief in this great doctrine resort to the theory of interpolation and alteration in order to account for the language in this and analogous passages. There can be no doubt that the present text has hitherto always been regarded as genuine, and that it does clearly assert future retribution, though not so much as a conclusion firmly established, but rather as a belief which may explain anomalies and afford comfort under trying circumstances. For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. The adverb rendered "there" (שָׁם, sham) is placed emphatically, at the end of the sentence. Thus the Septuagint, "There is a reason for every action, and for every work there (ἐκεῖ)." Many take it to mean" in the other world," and Plumptre cites Eurip., 'Med.,' 1073 - Ἐνδαιμονοῖτον ἀλλ ἐκεῖ τὰ δ ἐνθάδε Πατὴρ ἀφείλετ "All good be with you! but it must be there; Here it is stolen from you by your sire." But it is unexampled to find the elliptical "there," when no place has been mentioned in the context, and when we are precluded from interpreting the dark word by a significant gesture, as Medea may have pointed downwards in her histrionic despair. Where the words, "that day," are used in the New Testament (e.g. <a href="/luke/10-12.htm">Luke 10:12</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/1-18.htm">2 Timothy 1:18</a>, etc.), the context shows plainly to what they refer. Some take the adverb here in the sense of "then." Thus the Vulgate, Justum et impium iudicabit Deus, et tempus omnis rei tunc erit." But really no time has been mentioned, unless we conceive the writer to have been guilty of a clumsy tautology, expressing by "then" the same idea as "a time for every purpose," etc. Ewald would understand it of the past; but this is quite arbitrary, and limits the signification of the sentence unnecessarily. It is best, with many modern commentators, to refer the adverb to God, who has just been spoken of in the preceding clause. A similar use is found in <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Genesis 49:24</a>. With God, spud Deum, in his counsels, there is a time or judgment and retribution for every act of man, when anomalies which have obtained on earth shall be rectified, injustice shall be punished, virtue rewarded. There is no need, with some commentators, to read up, "he appointed;" the usual reading gives a satisfactory sense. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>I אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I said אָמַ֤רְתִּֽי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say in my heart, בְּלִבִּ֔י (bə·lib·bî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre “God הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative will judge יִשְׁפֹּ֖ט (yiš·pōṭ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate the righteous הַצַּדִּיק֙ (haṣ·ṣad·dîq) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> Just, righteous and וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the wicked, הָ֣רָשָׁ֔ע (hā·rā·šā‘) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person since כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction there is a time עֵ֣ת (‘êṯ) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> Time, now, when for every לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every activity חֵ֔פֶץ (ḥê·p̄eṣ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2656.htm">Strong's 2656: </a> Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter and every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every deed.” הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ham·ma·‘ă·śeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:17 I said in my heart God will (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:18" /></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>