Ecclesiastes 3 3

Ecclesiastes 3:3 kjv

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes 3:3 nkjv

A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes 3:3 niv

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

Ecclesiastes 3:3 esv

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes 3:3 nlt

A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

Ecclesiastes 3 verses

Ecclesiastes 3 3 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 3:3 describes pairs of contrasting actions that are part of the divinely appointed cycles and seasons of life. It speaks of a destined time for terminating life, whether in warfare, justice, or natural course, alongside a time for restoration and making whole. Similarly, there is a designated time for destruction, dismantling old structures or systems, and a corresponding time for construction, rebuilding, and establishing new foundations. This verse, like the surrounding poem, emphasizes the Creator's sovereignty over all human experiences, including the seemingly contradictory or harsh ones, highlighting that every action has its appropriate, predetermined moment.

Ecclesiastes 3 3 Context

Ecclesiastes 3:3 is an integral part of Koheleth's poetic exploration of the rhythms of life under heaven, found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. This passage emphasizes that all human experiences, whether joyous or sorrowful, constructive or destructive, occur within a divinely appointed timeline. The poem begins with the foundational statement that "there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Eccl 3:1). The pairs of opposites listed throughout these verses are not prescriptions for how humans should act, but rather observations of how life does unfold according to God's mysterious wisdom and sovereign control. The verse fits within the broader theme of Ecclesiastes, which grapples with the fleeting nature and apparent paradoxes of existence "under the sun," ultimately pointing to the need to acknowledge God's providence and submit to His will, despite life's complexities and frustrations. It contrasts the Hebrew understanding of a purposeful divine order with pagan concepts of an arbitrary fate or purely naturalistic cycles.

Ecclesiastes 3 3 Word analysis

• A time (עֵת - et): This Hebrew word signifies an appointed time, season, or suitable occasion. It denotes a specific, designated period, emphasizing God's orchestration rather than mere human discretion or accidental occurrence.
• to kill (לַהֲרֹג - la-harog): From the root הָרַג (harag), meaning "to slay, to kill, to put to death." In the biblical context, this can refer to lawful execution, justified warfare, or even the natural cessation of life, rather than explicitly malicious murder (which has a different Hebrew word, רָצַח - ratsach, in the commandments). Its inclusion highlights that even the termination of life has a God-ordained timing and context within His plan.
• and a time (וְעֵת - v'et): Connects the opposing concept.
• to heal (לִרְפּוֹא - lir'po): From the root רָפָא (rapha), meaning "to heal, to restore, to make whole, to cure." This refers to physical recovery, restoration of health, or spiritual renewal. It underscores the Creator's power to mend and restore life.
• A time (עֵת - et): Repetition emphasizes the dual nature of existence and divine timing.
• to tear down (לִפְרוֹץ - lifrotz): From the root פָּרַץ (paratz), meaning "to break through, to burst forth, to break down, to tear down, to destroy." This term signifies dismantling, destroying, or breaking apart. It implies the necessary removal of structures, systems, or even personal habits that are no longer suitable or are hindering growth.
• and a time (וְעֵת - v'et): Link.
• to build (לִבְנוֹת - livnot): From the root בָּנָה (banah), meaning "to build, to construct, to establish, to restore." This refers to the act of creation, establishing foundations, constructing physical structures, or metaphorically, building up individuals, communities, or even the nation.

Words-Group by words-group analysis

• "a time to kill and a time to heal": This antithetical pair reflects the paradoxical nature of life and death, destruction and restoration. It is not advocating murder, but acknowledging that putting an end to life (whether in judgment, war, or via natural means) is as much a part of the divine order as preserving and restoring life. This shows God's control over life's termination and its renewal.
• "a time to tear down and a time to build": This second pair focuses on the cycles of destruction and construction. It illustrates that progress often necessitates the removal or deconstruction of the old before the new can be established. This applies to physical structures, social systems, spiritual states, and personal character. It highlights the dynamic process of decay and renewal that God governs.

Ecclesiastes 3 3 Bonus section

The pairings in Ecclesiastes 3 are not ethical directives, telling people when to kill or when to tear down. Instead, they are statements of theological observation by Koheleth on the divinely ordered cycles of reality. These contrasts demonstrate that human free will operates within a framework established by the Creator. Even in actions that might appear chaotic or tragic, such as taking a life or destroying structures, there is an overarching "time" determined by God. This reinforces the message that life "under the sun," with all its paradoxes, ultimately rests in the hands of the all-wise and sovereign God, prompting believers to seek Him for wisdom to navigate these diverse seasons appropriately. This understanding helps to combat a deterministic fatalism by affirming divine purpose, while also correcting a self-reliant humanism by emphasizing ultimate divine control.

Ecclesiastes 3 3 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 3:3 delves into the Creator's sovereign arrangement of opposites within the temporal sphere, asserting that even contradictory events occur according to His predetermined plan. It’s a profound recognition that life is not static but flows through necessary phases of beginning and ending, deterioration and rehabilitation. The inclusion of "kill" (harog, referring to taking life legitimately in judgment or war) alongside "heal" underscores the comprehensiveness of God's dominion over life and death itself, challenging human efforts to unilaterally control such ultimate outcomes. Similarly, "tear down" and "build" portray the cyclical nature of societal and personal development where decline and dismantling precede or accompany phases of growth and establishment. This verse isn't a license for destructive behavior but rather an observation that destructive forces, often perceived as negative, also serve a purpose within the larger divine tapestry, paving the way for new construction or necessary changes. Ultimately, it counsels humility and wisdom in discerning and submitting to the divine "time" for each action, rather than seeking to control outcomes outside of God's design. For instance, sometimes a relationship needs to be "torn down" (e.g., boundaries set, patterns broken) before it can be "built" on a healthier foundation, or old harmful habits need to be "killed" to allow for "healing" and spiritual growth.