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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 3:8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/21_Ecc_03_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:8 - To Everything There is a Season" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." /><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/3-8.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/3-8.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 8</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="/ad8.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/3-7.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:7">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 3:8 <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:9">►</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 love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.<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 love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.<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 love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.<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 love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />There is also a time for love and hate, for war and peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<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 love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.<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 love and the time for hate, the time for war and the time for peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. <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 love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<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 love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. <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 love, "" And a time to hate. A time of war, "" And a time of peace.<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 love, And a time to hate. A time of war, And a time of peace.<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 love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace:<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 of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. <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 love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.<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 love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.<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 love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace<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 love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-8.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=507" 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">7</span>a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, <span class="reftext">8</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/157.htm" title="157: le·’ĕ·hōḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">to love</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/8130.htm" title="8130: liś·nō (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">to hate,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: mil·ḥā·māh (N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">for war</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: wə·‘êṯ (Conj-w:: N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">and a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: šā·lō·wm (N-ms) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">for peace.</a> </span><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/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Romans 13:10</a></span><br />Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a></span><br />Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a></span><br />Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a></span><br />Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a></span><br />What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Proverbs 17:17</a></span><br />A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a></span><br />If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-9.htm">1 John 2:9-11</a></span><br />If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. / Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. / But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.</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 love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.</p><p class="hdg">time to love</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-8.htm">Ezekiel 16:8</a></b></br> Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time <i>was</i> the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-21.htm">Psalm 139:21</a></b></br> Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/3-19.htm">Ephesians 3:19</a></b></br> And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.</p><p class="hdg">a time to hate</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/19-2.htm">2 Chronicles 19:2</a></b></br> And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore <i>is</i> wrath upon thee from before the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a></b></br> If any <i>man</i> come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/2-2.htm">Revelation 2:2</a></b></br> I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:</p><p class="hdg">a time of war</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Genesis 14:14-17</a></b></br> And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained <i>servants</i>, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued <i>them</i> unto Dan… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">Joshua 8:1</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/11-23.htm">Joshua 11:23</a></b></br> So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-17.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-6.htm">Love</a> <a href="/songs/8-10.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">War</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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 love</b><br>This phrase acknowledges the natural and divinely appointed seasons in life where love is the appropriate response. Love is a central theme throughout the Bible, epitomized in the greatest commandments to love God and love one's neighbor (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a>). The Hebrew word for love used here can encompass various forms of love, including familial, friendly, and romantic. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it suggests that there are moments when love should be expressed and prioritized, aligning with God's nature as love (1 <a href="/john/4-8.htm">John 4:8</a>). This aligns with the biblical narrative of God's covenantal love for His people, as seen in His relationship with Israel and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ's sacrificial love (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>).<p><b>and a time to hate</b><br>This phrase may seem contradictory to the Christian message of love, but it reflects the reality of living in a fallen world. The Bible does not promote personal hatred but acknowledges that there are times when hatred of evil and sin is appropriate (<a href="/psalms/97-10.htm">Psalm 97:10</a>). This is not a call to hate individuals but to detest actions and systems that oppose God's righteousness. The prophetic literature often speaks of God's hatred for idolatry and injustice (<a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a>). In the New Testament, believers are called to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (<a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9</a>), indicating a moral discernment that aligns with God's holiness.<p><b>a time for war</b><br>This phrase recognizes that there are occasions when conflict is unavoidable. In the Old Testament, war was sometimes sanctioned by God, particularly in the context of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua 6). These wars were often seen as divine judgment against nations that opposed God's purposes. The concept of a "just war" has been debated throughout Christian history, with criteria developed to determine when war might be morally justified. In a broader spiritual sense, the New Testament speaks of spiritual warfare against the forces of evil (<a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>), where believers are called to put on the armor of God.<p><b>and a time for peace</b><br>Peace is a significant biblical theme, representing not just the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness and harmony. The Hebrew word for peace, "shalom," encompasses well-being, prosperity, and reconciliation. The prophetic vision of peace is seen in the Messianic prophecies, where the coming of the Messiah would bring ultimate peace (<a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a>). Jesus Christ is referred to as the Prince of Peace, and His ministry emphasized peace with God and among people (<a href="/john/14-27.htm">John 14:27</a>). The New Testament encourages believers to live at peace with everyone as much as possible (<a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a>), reflecting the peace that Christ has made through His cross (<a href="/colossians/1-20.htm">Colossians 1:20</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. His reflections in Ecclesiastes explore the meaning of life and the human experience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel, often experiencing cycles of war and peace, serves as a backdrop for understanding the historical context of Solomon's writings.<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 reflects on the seasons and times of life, offering wisdom and insight.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_seasons_of_life.htm">Understanding Seasons of Life</a></b><br>Recognize that life is composed of various seasons, each with its purpose. Embrace the wisdom in discerning the appropriate time for different actions and emotions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_love_and_hate.htm">Balancing Love and Hate</a></b><br>While love is a central Christian virtue, there is a time to hate what is evil. This requires discernment to ensure that our hatred is directed towards sin and injustice, not individuals.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_peace.htm">Pursuing Peace</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers. This involves actively seeking reconciliation and harmony in our relationships and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_conflict.htm">The Reality of Conflict</a></b><br>Acknowledge that conflict and war are part of the human experience. Christians are called to navigate these times with wisdom, seeking God's guidance and striving for peace whenever possible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_god's_sovereignty.htm">Reflecting on God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Trust in God's perfect timing and sovereignty over the seasons of life. This trust provides comfort and direction, even in times of war and peace.<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/why_do_christians_support_war_despite_jesus.htm">Why do Christians often support war and violence despite Jesus' teachings on loving enemies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_wars_contradict_divine_love.htm">Why do religious wars contradict the idea of divine love?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_is_war_or_peace_appropriate.htm">When is war or peace appropriate?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_psalm_139_19-22_and_love_align.htm">Psalm 139:19-22: How do these verses endorsing hatred for the wicked align with other passages in the Bible that command love for one's enemies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A time to love, and a time to hate.</span> This reminds one of the gloss to which our Lord refers (<a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43</a>), "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy," the first member being found in the old Law (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>), the second being a misconception of the spirit which made Israel God's executioner upon the condemned nations. It was the maxim of Bias, quoted by Aristotle, 'Rhet.,' 2:13, that we should love as if about some day to hate, and hate as if about to love. And Philo imparts a still more selfish tone to the gnome, when he pronounces ('De Carit.,' 21, p. 401, Mang.), "It was well said by them of old, that we ought to deal out friendship without absolutely renouncing enmity, and practice enmity as possibly to turn to friendship. <span class="cmt_word">A time of war, and a time of peace.</span> In the previous couplets the infinitive mood of the verb has been used; in this last hemistich substantives are introduced, as being more concise and better fitted to emphasize the close of the catalogue. The first clause referred specially to the private feelings which one is constrained to entertain towards individuals. The second clause has to do with national concerns, and touches on the statesmanship which discovers the necessity or the opportuneness of war and peace, and acts accordingly. In this and in all the other examples adduced, the lesson intended is this - that man is not independent; that under all circumstances and relations he is in the hand of a power mightier than himself, which frames time and seasons according to its own good pleasure. God holds the threads of human life; in some mysterious way directs and controls events; success and failure are dependent upon his will. There are certain laws which, regulate the issues of actions and events, and man cannot alter these; his free-will can put them in motion, but they become irresistible when in operation. This is not fatalism; it is the mere statement of a fact in experience. Koheleth never denies man's liberty, though he is very earnest in asserting God's sovereignty. The reconciliation of the two is a problem unsolved by him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-8.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 love</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶֽאֱהֹב֙</span> <span class="translit">(le·’ĕ·hōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</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 hate,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׂנֹ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(liś·nō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate</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 construct<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 war</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלְחָמָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</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 construct<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 peace.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלֽוֹם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love and a time (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:9" /></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>