Ecclesiastes 3:2
What does Ecclesiastes 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ecclesiastes 3:2 means
Continuing the theme of divine timing, this verse provides the first set of concrete examples. It juxtaposes fundamental life experiences: "a time to be born, and a time to die," highlighting the absolute beginning and end of human existence. It then shifts to agricultural examples, "a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted," illustrating cycles of initiation and completion in nature and human effort. These pairings underscore the reality of specific, appointed moments for every major transition and a common task.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
KJV
King James Version · 1611A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A time to bring forth, And a time to die. A time to plant, And a time to eradicate the planted.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Context
This verse begins the extensive list of contrasting pairs that will continue through verse 8. Following the general declaration of verse 1, it immediately provides specific illustrations of life's fundamental cycles. This concrete enumeration helps the reader grasp the profound reach of God's sovereign timing, moving from the personal to the agricultural and then into social interactions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 1:10
see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
- Genesis 17:21
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
- Jeremiah 45:4
Thus shalt thou say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up; and this in the whole land.
- 1 Kings 13:2
And he cried against the altar by the word of Jehovah, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith Jehovah: Behold, a son shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he sacrifice the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall they burn upon thee.
- Galatians 4:4
but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
- Isaiah 38:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
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