Ecclesiastes 3:5
What does Ecclesiastes 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ecclesiastes 3:5 means
This verse offers two more paired examples of life's appointed times, starting with "a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together." This might refer to clearing land or building, signifying cycles of preparation and construction. The second pair, "a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing," speaks to the appropriate timing for intimacy, closeness, or distance in human relationships. It highlights the wisdom in discerning when to connect and when to hold back, all within God's larger design.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
KJV
King James Version · 1611A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A time to take stones away and a time to get stones together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A time to cast away stones, And a time to heap up stones. A time to embrace, And a time to be far from embracing.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Context
Continuing the extensive list, this verse provides further illustrations that bridge physical actions and relational dynamics. Coming after the emotional examples of verse 4, it once again demonstrates the wide range of life experiences governed by divine timing. The shift from physical manipulation of stones to the delicate art of human connection reinforces the comprehensive nature of the Preacher's observations.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 4:3
and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night.
- 1 Samuel 21:4
And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.
- 2 Kings 3:25
And they beat down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the fountains of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir-hareseth only they left the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
- 2 Samuel 18:17
And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
- Joel 2:16
gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
- Joshua 10:27
And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, unto this very day.
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