Ecclesiastes 3:6 kjv
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecclesiastes 3:6 nkjv
A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
Ecclesiastes 3:6 niv
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
Ecclesiastes 3:6 esv
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecclesiastes 3:6 nlt
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ecc 3:1-8 | For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven:... | General context: God's appointed times for all things. |
| Prov 11:24 | One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what is due... | Paradox of giving and gaining, relates to stewardship. |
| Prov 15:16 | Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. | Value of contentment over material wealth. |
| Mt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy... | Impermanence of earthly possessions. |
| Lk 12:15 | Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life... | Warning against greed and excessive attachment to gain. |
| Job 1:21 | Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return... | Acceptance of loss, God gives and takes away. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ... | Spiritual understanding of gain and loss, valuing Christ above all. |
| Jas 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds... | Finding spiritual gain even in difficult seasons of "loss." |
| Lk 12:33 | Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags... | Actively letting go of material things for spiritual reward. |
| Lk 14:33 | So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. | Radical detachment from possessions for discipleship. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings... | God's absolute sovereignty over all timing and worldly events. |
| Act 1:7 | He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father... | Divine knowledge of appointed times remains with God. |
| Heb 9:27 | And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment... | Appointed time for the ultimate loss (life) and divine judgment. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's ultimate purpose in all circumstances, including loss. |
| 1 Tim 6:7-10 | For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world... | Detachment from wealth, root of evil is love of money. |
| Prov 24:27 | Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field... | Wisdom in proper sequencing and timing of work. |
| Prov 20:21 | An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. | Discernment in how wealth is acquired, relating to "getting." |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion... | Wisdom in knowing when to give and when to keep resources. |
| Act 20:35 | In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help... | Emphasizing the blessing in giving rather than only receiving. |
| Mt 10:39 | Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. | Paradox of spiritual loss and gain in discipleship. |
| Phil 4:12 | I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every... | Paul's contentment in both seasons of material gain ("get") and loss. |
| Lk 15:13-14 | Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey... | Prodigal son's actions demonstrating "throw away" his inheritance. |
Ecclesiastes 3 verses
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 3:6 illustrates the universal ebb and flow of human experience concerning possessions and circumstances, declaring that God has appointed specific, suitable times for acquisition and loss, as well as for diligent preservation and intentional relinquishment. It underscores the divine sovereignty over all human endeavors and outcomes, particularly concerning material wealth and attachments.
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Context
Ecclesiastes 3 is a profound poetic exposition by Koheleth (the Preacher) on the divinely ordained rhythm of life "under the sun," a consistent theme throughout the book emphasizing life's ephemeral and often frustrating nature from a human perspective, apart from God. Verses 1-8 present fourteen antithetical pairs of activities and experiences, establishing that every event has an appointed time. This structure highlights humanity's limited control over the timing of life's occurrences. Ecclesiastes 3:6 specifically addresses the transient nature of material wealth and possessions within this broader framework, emphasizing that acquisition, preservation, and relinquishment are all part of a divinely ordered plan. This message countered both excessive human striving for control and potential despair over unpredictable events, subtly urging reliance on God's wisdom and timing.
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Word analysis
- a time (עֵת, 'eth): This recurring Hebrew term signifies an appointed, suitable, or opportune moment. Its repeated use in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 stresses that every action or event unfolds according to a specific, divine schedule, not randomly. It implies God's deliberate planning.
- to get (לָקַבָצ, laqavatz): From the verb "קָבַץ" (qavats), meaning to gather, collect, assemble. This denotes the active process of accumulating or acquiring. It can refer to gaining possessions, wealth, or resources. In a broader sense, it signifies the season of growth or increase.
- and a time: Serves to connect the preceding idea with its antithetical counterpart, reinforcing the balanced, dualistic nature of life's cycles.
- to lose (לְאַבֵּד, le'abbed): From the verb "אֲבַד" (abad), meaning to perish, destroy, ruin, or cause to disappear. This term goes beyond simple misplacement; it implies a definitive loss, destruction, or squandering. It points to the inherent impermanence of all acquired things.
- to keep (לִשְׁמֹור, lishmor): From the verb "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to guard, preserve, observe, or take care of. This denotes the deliberate act of holding onto, maintaining, or protecting what one possesses. It suggests diligent stewardship and retention.
- to throw away (לְהַשְׁלִיךְ, lehashlikh): From the verb "שָׁלַךְ" (shalakh), meaning to cast off, fling away, abandon, or reject. This implies a deliberate act of discarding or getting rid of something, whether due to it becoming burdensome, useless, or even harmful. It signifies intentional relinquishment.
Words-group Analysis
- "a time to get and a time to lose": This pairing encapsulates the transient nature of material gain. It teaches that even accumulation, which often seems desirable, is part of a larger cycle that includes inevitable loss. This can refer to prosperity and adversity, challenging the notion that sustained acquisition is entirely within human control. It hints at the impermanence of all things under the sun.
- "a time to keep and a time to throw away": This second pair highlights human agency and discernment regarding possessions and attachments. It suggests wisdom in knowing when to diligently preserve resources and when, conversely, to deliberately release or discard them. This can apply not only to physical items but also to habits, relationships, or ideas that are no longer beneficial, or when holding onto something prevents further growth or freedom.
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Bonus section
- The concepts of "getting" and "losing" here transcend mere finance; they can apply to health (a time to gain strength, a time to lose vitality), relationships (a time to gain new friends, a time to lose old associations), or knowledge (a time to acquire new learning, a time to discard outdated beliefs).
- The deliberate "throwing away" can involve renouncing things that have become idols or obstacles to one's spiritual journey, as seen in instances where believers cast off former pagan practices or symbols.
- Koheleth's use of "time" (עֵת, 'eth) throughout this poem suggests a qualitative aspect – the right or opportune time for each action or experience, implying a divine rhythm to which humans must wisely align, rather than striving against.
Ecclesiastes 3 6 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 3:6 is a succinct expression of the balanced reality of life, viewed through Koheleth's unique lens: all material engagement – acquiring, losing, preserving, and discarding – occurs within specific, divinely appointed times. It reminds us that our grip on possessions and even our experiences is ultimately provisional. There will be seasons when wealth or blessings flow in, and seasons when they recede or are destroyed. Similarly, wisdom dictates both the diligent safeguarding of resources and the liberating act of letting go. This divine orchestration implies that neither relentless accumulation nor clinging to every possession is always wise. The verse urges discernment and acceptance of these cycles, cultivating contentment in all circumstances, recognizing God's sovereign hand over the material world. For instance, knowing when to invest wisely (time to get) and when to liquidate (time to lose) due to changing market conditions; or when to safeguard an inheritance (time to keep) versus donating surplus wealth to those in need (time to throw away) for kingdom purposes.