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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 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/21_Ecc_03_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:4 - To Everything There is a Season" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," /><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/3-4.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/3-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/3-3.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:3">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 3:4 <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:5">►</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 weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<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 weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;<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 weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;<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 weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />for crying and laughing, weeping and dancing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<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 cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<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 sorrow and the time for joy, the time for mourning and the time for dancing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. <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 weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<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 weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; <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 weep, "" And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, "" And a time to skip.<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 weep, And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, And a time to skip.<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 weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. <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 weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<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 weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;<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 weep and a time to laugh, a time to dance and a time to mourn<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 weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to lament, and a time to dance;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-4.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=470" 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">3</span>a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, <span class="reftext">4</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/1058.htm" title="1058: liḇ·kō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">to weep</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/7832.htm" title="7832: liś·ḥō·wq (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh; by implication, to play.">to laugh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/5594.htm" title="5594: sə·p̄ō·wḏ (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts; generally to lament; by implication, to wail.">to mourn</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/7540.htm" title="7540: rə·qō·wḏ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To skip about. A primitive root; properly, to stamp, i.e. To spring about.">to dance,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,…<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="/romans/12-15.htm">Romans 12:15</a></span><br />Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/30-11.htm">Psalm 30:11</a></span><br />You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-20.htm">John 16:20</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-13.htm">James 5:13</a></span><br />Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a></span><br />to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-4.htm">Matthew 5:4</a></span><br />Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-21.htm">Luke 6:21</a></span><br />Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-13.htm">Jeremiah 31:13</a></span><br />Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-10.htm">2 Corinthians 6:10</a></span><br />sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a></span><br />Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Revelation 21:4</a></span><br />‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13</a></span><br />Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-13.htm">Proverbs 14:13</a></span><br />Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/25-8.htm">Isaiah 25:8</a></span><br />He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-33.htm">John 11:33-35</a></span><br />When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept.</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 weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;</p><p class="hdg">time to weep</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/8-9.htm">Nehemiah 8:9-12</a></b></br> And Nehemiah, which <i>is</i> the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day <i>is</i> holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Nehemiah 9:1</a></b></br> Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a></b></br> For his anger <i>endureth but</i> a moment; in his favour <i>is</i> life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy <i>cometh</i> in the morning.</p><p class="hdg">a time to laugh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6</a></b></br> And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, <i>so that</i> all that hear will laugh with me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Luke 1:13,14,58</a></b></br> But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-21.htm">Luke 6:21-25</a></b></br> Blessed <i>are ye</i> that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed <i>are ye</i> that weep now: for ye shall laugh… </p><p class="hdg">to dance</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a></b></br> And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/6-16.htm">2 Samuel 6:16</a></b></br> And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/150-4.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/psalms/150-4.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Laugh</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-2.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/psalms/114-6.htm">Skip</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/78-64.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/6-13.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/luke/6-21.htm">Laugh</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-11.htm">Skip</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Weeping</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 weep and a time to laugh</b><br>This phrase highlights the duality of human emotions and experiences. Weeping is often associated with sorrow, loss, or repentance. In biblical times, public displays of weeping were common during periods of mourning or distress, as seen in the lamentations of Jeremiah or the mourning rituals in the book of Job. Conversely, laughter is a sign of joy and celebration. The Bible often associates laughter with moments of divine blessing or fulfillment, such as Sarah's laughter upon hearing she would bear a son in her old age (<a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6</a>). This balance between weeping and laughter reflects the human condition and the seasons of life ordained by God. It also points to the ultimate joy found in Christ, who promises to turn mourning into joy (<a href="/john/16-20.htm">John 16:20</a>).<p><b>a time to mourn and a time to dance</b><br>Mourning in the biblical context often involved rituals such as wearing sackcloth, fasting, and lamenting, as seen in the practices of the Israelites during times of national or personal tragedy. Mourning is a time for reflection and seeking God's comfort, as Jesus Himself said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (<a href="/matthew/5-4.htm">Matthew 5:4</a>). Dancing, on the other hand, is frequently associated with celebration and worship. King David famously danced before the Lord with all his might when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (<a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14</a>). This contrast between mourning and dancing underscores the cyclical nature of life and the hope of restoration and joy that God provides. It also foreshadows the eternal joy believers will experience in the presence of God, where sorrow and mourning will flee away (<a href="/isaiah/35-10.htm">Isaiah 35:10</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 son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to which Solomon belonged, often experiencing cycles of weeping and rejoicing throughout its history.<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 meaning of life and the appropriate times for various human experiences.<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 own purpose. Just as nature has seasons, so do our lives, and each season is ordained by God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/embracing_emotional_balance.htm">Embracing Emotional Balance</a></b><br>It is important to allow ourselves to experience the full range of emotions. Weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing are all part of the human experience and should be embraced as such.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty in Timing</a></b><br>Trust in God's perfect timing for every event in our lives. He knows when it is time for each emotion and experience, and His timing is always purposeful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_empathy.htm">Community and Empathy</a></b><br>Engage with others in their times of weeping and rejoicing. Being present with others in their emotional seasons fosters community and reflects Christ's love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_transformation.htm">Hope in Transformation</a></b><br>Remember that times of mourning can lead to dancing. God has the power to transform our sorrow into joy, and this hope should sustain us through difficult times.<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/meaning_of_'a_time_to_mourn_and_dance'.htm">What is the meaning of "A Time to Mourn and Dance"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_sadness.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer on sadness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_should_you_weep_or_laugh.htm">When is it appropriate to weep or laugh?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_is_war_or_peace_appropriate.htm">What is the meaning of 'A Time to Mourn and Dance'?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">Mourn.</span>--This is the ordinary word used for noisy funeral lamentations (<a href="/jeremiah/4-8.htm" title="For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.">Jeremiah 4:8</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/25-1.htm" title="And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.">1Samuel 25:1</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A time to weep, and a time to laugh</span>, grouped naturally with <span class="cmt_word">a time to mourn, and a time to dance</span>. The funeral and the wedding, the hired mourners and the guests at the marriage-feast, are set against one another. The first clause intimates the spontaneous manifestation of the feelings of the heart; the second, their formal expression in the performances at funerals and weddings and on other solemn occasions. The contrast is found in the Lord's allusion to the sulky children in the market-place, who would not join their companions' play: "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented" (<a href="/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17</a>). Dancing sometimes accompanied religious sere-monies, as when David brought up the ark (<a href="/2_samuel/6-14.htm">2 Samuel 6:14, 16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-4.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 weep</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְכּוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·kō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> </span><span class="str2">To weep, to bemoan</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 laugh,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׂח֔וֹק</span> <span class="translit">(liś·ḥō·wq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7832.htm">Strong's 7832: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a time</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to mourn</span><br /><span class="heb">סְפ֖וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(sə·p̄ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5594.htm">Strong's 5594: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tear the hair and beat the breasts, to lament, to wail</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a time</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to dance,</span><br /><span class="heb">רְקֽוֹד׃</span> <span class="translit">(rə·qō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7540.htm">Strong's 7540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stamp, to spring about</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep and a time (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:5" /></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>