3:1 there is an appointed time, a time These two terms are similar and refer to specific points in time.

3:2 to bear This can be translated as either “to be born” or “to give birth.”

3:3 a time to kill The author is not advocating murder or capital punishment. Instead, he is reflecting on the reality of life, which includes both killing and healing.

a time to break down While the pairs in vv. 2–8 are typically opposites, breaking down and building up can be different parts of one process such as remodeling or building a new house.

3:4 a time to weep Mourning rituals were common in the ancient Near East. Job’s friends mourned for him for seven days when they visited him (Job 2:11–13). David sang a song of lament after hearing of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths (2 Sam 1:17–27). The statement here is reminiscent of Paul’s later encouragement for believers to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15).

3:5 a time to throw away stones Most likely a reference to putting stones on a field to ruin it (see 2 Kgs 3:19, 25) and clearing stones from a field to cultivate it. It may also refer to demolishing or constructing a building or represent a euphemism for sexual relations.

3:7 a time to be silent Restraint in speech is a recurring theme in Wisdom Literature. In Proverbs, a fool’s speech brings trouble (Prov 18:6–7), while those who keep their tongue avoid trouble (Prov 21:23).

The Fool in Proverbs

3:8 a time to hate While hate is commonly used in reference to enemies (Pss 18:17; 38:19), it can also indicate a lack of love (Gen 29:31).

3:9 What does the worker gain The inability of people to achieve any real gain is a recurring theme throughout the book. See note on 1:3.

3:11 suitable in its time The Hebrew word used here, yapheh, is often translated “beautiful,” but it can also be understood as “appropriate” or “good.”

past People have a desire to understand how they fit into the plan of life—which the author attempts to explain in this book (1:13; 8:16–17).

no one can grasp what God does While God has set the appropriate time for everything, He has not revealed this to humanity.

3:12 to rejoice and enjoy themselves Faced with human limitations, people should enjoy life and be content with what they are given (7:13–14).

3:13 this also is a gift of God Enjoyment of life is a gift of God. See note on 9:7–10.

3:14 endures forever Not only is God’s work “good” or “appropriate” (see note on v. 11), it is also unchanging.

nothing can be added God’s work cannot be improved.

humans might stand in awe before him Fearing God is the proper response to divine sovereignty and human limitation. This is also the conclusion of the book.

3:15 it already was This echoes the statement in Eccles 1:9–10 that “there is nothing new under the sun.”

3:16 under the sun A common phrase in Ecclesiastes that describes the entirety of life on earth. See note on 1:3.

there was evil The author observes the prevalence of injustice and wickedness rather than justice and righteousness. For similar observations, see 5:8; 7:15, and 8:10–12a.

3:17 I said to myself Confronted with the observation (“I saw …”) of injustice in v. 16, the author demonstrates faith in the ultimate justice of God. See note on 8:13.

God will surely judge This assertion is repeated at the book’s conclusion (12:14).

3:19 has no advantage over the beast Both humans and animals are limited by the brevity of life. See note on 1:3–11.

3:20 one place Death is the end result for humans and animals alike. This is not meant to be a statement concerning the afterlife.

and both return to dust This same language is used in Gen 3:19 when God curses Adam. See note on Eccles 3:11.

3:21 the spirit of a human ascends This verse is not meant to be a definitive statement concerning what happens after death (compare 12:7). Rather, it emphasizes the limitation of human knowledge. Compare 8:16–17.

Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife

the beast Refers to land animals in general (Gen 1:24).

3:22 to enjoy the fruit of his labor As he does elsewhere (Eccles 2:24; 3:12–13; 5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7–10; 11:8–10), the author encourages enjoyment of life.

this is his lot in life God has orchestrated an appropriate time for all things (vv. 2–8), but He has not revealed this order to humanity (v. 11). For this reason, all must trust God (vv. 14; 12:13) by accepting their lot.

no one knows what will happen in the future All should trust God and accept their lot because humanity’s wisdom is limited—especially given God’s supremacy. See 12:13 and note.