Ecclesiastes 9 12

Ecclesiastes 9:12 kjv

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Ecclesiastes 9:12 nkjv

For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.

Ecclesiastes 9:12 niv

Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

Ecclesiastes 9:12 esv

For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

Ecclesiastes 9:12 nlt

People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.

Ecclesiastes 9 verses

Ecclesiastes 9 12 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 9:12 conveys a profound truth about human vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of life, particularly in the face of calamity and death. It asserts that humankind is inherently ignorant of their appointed "time," meaning the moment when unexpected misfortune or the end of life will suddenly descend upon them. Like fish trapped without warning in a cruel net or birds ensnared unawares in a hidden trap, human beings are likewise caught off guard by an "evil time" – a period of distress, disaster, or their ultimate demise – that arrives without prelude or opportunity for escape. The verse underscores the futility of relying solely on human foresight or control to navigate the uncertainties of existence, highlighting the sudden, inescapable, and often unjust arrival of hardship.

Ecclesiastes 9 12 Context

Ecclesiastes 9:12 falls within Qoheleth's reflections on the shared fate of humanity—both the righteous and the wicked—in death, and the often perplexing reality that merit does not guarantee reward "under the sun." The verses preceding (9:10-11) highlight that diligence and wisdom do not always assure success, as "time and chance" happen to everyone. The present verse serves as a further expansion on this unpredictability, arguing that not only success, but also calamity and death, come suddenly and without regard for human plans or perceived worth. This acknowledgment of human limitation and life's inherent uncertainty provides a sobering backdrop to Qoheleth's ongoing exhortations to enjoy the fleeting blessings of life. Historically and culturally, the original audience would have understood the imagery of nets and snares from common agricultural and hunting practices, making the metaphor of sudden, unavoidable entrapment highly relatable in a world where survival was precarious and events were often attributed to unforeseen circumstances or the whims of deities.

Ecclesiastes 9 12 Word analysis

• For man also: (Hebrew: ki gam ha'adam) The particle ki introduces a cause or explanation. Gam means "also" or "indeed," emphasizing that this truth applies universally to humanity, despite human perceived superiority or intelligence. It underscores that humans are not exempt from the general rule of unpredictability affecting all living creatures.
• does not know: (Hebrew: lo' yeda') Lo' is the negative particle, "not." Yeda' means "to know," implying a lack of awareness, foresight, or control. This knowing refers to a comprehensive understanding of what is coming or when.
• his time: (Hebrew: et 'itto) 'Itto means "his time," "his appointed time," or "his season." In this context, it refers specifically to the time of disaster, sudden hardship, or ultimately, death. Humans cannot predict their exact "hour" of reckoning or their final moment.
• as fish caught: (Hebrew: kadagim shenechazim) Ka means "as" or "like." Dagim are "fish." Shenechazim is a passive participle, "that are caught," emphasizing their helplessness and lack of active participation in their capture.
• in a cruel net: (Hebrew: bimtzudah ra'ah) M'tzudah is a "net" or "trap" used for hunting. Ra'ah means "bad," "evil," or "disastrous/cruel." The net is not morally evil but carries dire consequences; it's detrimental and brings about misfortune. It implies a situation from which there is no escape.
• and as birds caught: (Hebrew: v'kahtzipporim hanechazot) V'kahtzipporim means "and as birds." Tzipporim refers to small birds, common and often fragile. Hanechazot again emphasizes their passive capture, mirroring the fish.
• in a snare: (Hebrew: bappah) Pah is a specific type of "snare" or "trap," often hidden or inconspicuous, making capture sudden and unexpected. This imagery highlights the element of surprise.
• so the sons of men: (Hebrew: kahehm yukashim benei ha'adam) Kahehm means "thus" or "in the same way." Benei ha'adam is "sons of men," a common biblical idiom for "humanity" or "people." This directly applies the animal metaphors to human existence.
• are snared: (Hebrew: yukashim) This verb comes from the root yakosh, "to lay a snare" or "to be snared." The passive voice reinforces that humans are acted upon, becoming victims of circumstances beyond their control.
• in an evil time: (Hebrew: l'et ra'ah) L'et means "in a time" or "to a time." Ra'ah again signifies a disastrous or calamitous time, parallel to the "cruel net." This is the specific moment of affliction or misfortune.
• when it suddenly falls upon them: (Hebrew: keshertippol aleihem pit'om) Keshertippol means "when it falls." Aleihm is "upon them." Pit'om is "suddenly," "unexpectedly," or "without warning." This adverb is crucial, underscoring the swift, unannounced nature of the impending doom. It implies no time for preparation or escape once the "evil time" arrives.

Words-group Analysis:

• "For man also does not know his time" and "in an evil time when it suddenly falls upon them": These two phrases bracket the core message. Human ignorance concerning "his time" (e.g., of death or misfortune) is not merely a philosophical limitation but is terrifyingly manifested when "an evil time... suddenly falls upon them." The second phrase explains why man does not know: because the arrival is abrupt and unannounced.
• "as fish caught in a cruel net, and as birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared": This parallelism of animal imagery is exceptionally potent. It evokes vivid pictures of helpless creatures being blindsided and caught. The shared plight of fish and birds, victims of forces stronger than themselves, illustrates the human condition under the dominion of time and unforeseen events. The choice of "net" (m'tzudah) and "snare" (pah) highlights different but equally effective methods of capture, signifying various ways calamity can strike.

Ecclesiastes 9 12 Bonus section

• The verse aligns with Qoheleth's recurring theme of hebel (often translated "vanity," but better understood as "vapor," "enigma," or "futility" in its elusive, transient nature). The suddenness and unknowability of life's end exemplify this hebel—life cannot be grasped, contained, or fully predicted.
• It counters a simplistic cause-and-effect understanding of divine justice often prevalent in ancient Near Eastern thought, where righteous living was thought to guarantee a long, prosperous life free from disaster. Qoheleth, though not denying divine justice, insists on the practical observation that calamity strikes all indiscriminately, regardless of their immediate actions.
• The passive verbs used ("are caught," "are snared") emphasize the human inability to prevent or escape these sudden turns of events, suggesting an agency external to humanity, perhaps "time and chance" as mentioned earlier in Ecclesiastes 9, or ultimately God's sovereign will, though Qoheleth often presents this in an enigmatic fashion without direct theological explanations of why these things happen.

Ecclesiastes 9 12 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:12 serves as a stark reminder of life's fundamental unpredictability and human vulnerability. It dismantles any illusion of control that wisdom or foresight might offer over the ultimate matters of fate, especially calamity and death. The Preacher (Qoheleth) asserts that no matter one's wisdom, diligence, or moral standing, everyone is equally susceptible to unexpected misfortune, just as defenseless creatures are unwittingly trapped. This is not presented as divine judgment for a specific sin, but as an inherent part of existence "under the sun"—the world operating by natural and unseen forces. The "evil time" that falls "suddenly" refers to any sudden catastrophe or the inevitable, unforeseen arrival of death itself, for which no human can truly prepare in terms of timing. This sobering reality underscores the limits of human wisdom and effort, prompting humility and urging a different approach to life: one that values the present, lives righteeously today, and acknowledges the overarching sovereignty beyond human grasp. It implies a call to spiritual vigilance, not just intellectual awareness, knowing that one's ultimate "time" cannot be discerned.