Ecclesiastes 3:7

Translations

Modern

…a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Traditional

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Literal

…a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Latin

Tempus scindendi, et tempus consuendi; tempus tacendi, et tempus loquendi.

Original

Hebrew

English

…a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Notes

Ecclesiastes 3:2–8

We cannot control when we are born or when we die (Ecclesiastes 8:8), but we must live wisely between those events.
plant and...uproot: Make wise agricultural decisions during the natural seasons.
In ancient Israel, times to kill included capital punishment and war.
During mourning, people in the Near East often tore their clothes.
There is a time to hate, even for God (Psalms 5:5; 11:5).

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: Wisdom knows that everything has its own time. Both in human activities and in nature (see Ecclesiastes 1:3–7). A wise person knows when to start any activity (Ecclesiastes 8:5). Opportunities do not last long (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).

Related verses

Micah 7:5
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
Amos 5:13
Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
Esther 4:13–14
…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
Lamentations 3:28
Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it upon him.
Acts 4:20
For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Proverbs 31:8–9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
Proverbs 24:11–12
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.
Esther 7:4
For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.”
Job 32:4–22
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
Joel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
1 Samuel 25:24–44
She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.
2 Kings 5:7
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Speaking: Wisdom In Tongue: Restrained by Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 3:7

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?