Meaning, commentary and cross references
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
NIV · New International Version
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
WEB · World English Bible
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
What does Ecclesiastes 3:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season,.... A set determined time, when everything shall come into being, how long it shall continue, and in what circumstances; all things that have been, are, or shall be, were foreordained by God, and he has determined the times before appointed for their being, duration, and end; which times and seasons he has in his own power: there was a determined time for the whole universe, and for all persons and things in it; a settled fixed moment for the world to come into being; for it did not exist from everlasting, nor of itself, nor was formed by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, but by the wisdom and power of God; nor could it exist sooner or later than it did…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 (WEB)
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 2a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Cross references
- Ecclesiastes 3:17
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.”
- Matthew 16:3
In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!
- Ecclesiastes 8:5–6
Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
- Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
- 2 Kings 5:26
He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?
- Proverbs 15:23
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
- 2 Chronicles 33:12
When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.