Ecclesiastes 3

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 3 of 12

1 To all there is an appointed time, even a time for every purpose under the heavens:

2 a time to bear, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up;

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Chapter Summary

By the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail. There is an excellence in Jehovah's works. Jehovah shall judge man.

Key Hebrew Words

סֽוֹף end H5490 · TWOT 1478a
שָׁלֽוֹם completeness H7965 · TWOT 2401a
יִּתְרוֹן֙ advantage H3504 · TWOT 936f
הָֽבֶל vapour H1892 · TWOT 463a
חֵ֖פֶץ delight H2656 · TWOT 712b

People & Context

A Time for Everything

The Preacher observes that there is an appointed time for every event and purpose under heaven, such as birth, death, weeping, laughing, war, and peac…

God's Eternal Work and Man's Limitations

God has made everything beautiful in its time and placed eternity in human hearts, yet humans cannot comprehend God's eternal and unalterable work fro…

Injustice and Divine Judgment

The Preacher observes wickedness in the place of judgment but maintains that God will ultimately judge both the righteous and the wicked.

Timeline

A Time for Everything

The Preacher observes that there is an appointed time for every event and purpose under heaven, such as birth, death, weeping, laughing, war, and peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
God's Eternal Work and Man's Limitations

God has made everything beautiful in its time and placed eternity in human hearts, yet humans cannot comprehend God's eternal and unalterable work from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
Injustice and Divine Judgment

The Preacher observes wickedness in the place of judgment but maintains that God will ultimately judge both the righteous and the wicked.

Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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