Ecc 3:3, 5 | JFB | STEP | 3. time to kill —namely, judicially, criminals; or, in wars of self-defense; not in malice. Out of this time and order, killing is murder. to heal —God has His times for "healing" (literally, ; figuratively, ; spiritually, ). To heal spiritually, before the sinner feels his wound, would be "out of time," and so injurious. time to break down —cities, as Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar. build up —as Jerusalem, in the time of Zerubbabel; spiritually ( ), "the set time" ( ).

Ecclesiastes 3:3

3. time to kill—namely, judicially, criminals; or, in wars of self-defense; not in malice. Out of this time and order, killing is murder.

to heal—God has His times for "healing" (literally, Isa 38:5, 21; figuratively, De 32:39; Ho 6:1; spiritually, Ps 147:3; Isa 57:19). To heal spiritually, before the sinner feels his wound, would be "out of time," and so injurious.

time to break down—cities, as Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar.

build up—as Jerusalem, in the time of Zerubbabel; spiritually (Am 9:11), "the set time" (Ps 102:13-16).

Ecclesiastes 3:5

5. cast away stones—as out of a garden or vineyard (Isa 5:2).

gather—for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building (Eph 2:19, 20), and children of Abraham (Mt 3:9); so the restored Jews hereafter (Ps 102:13, 14; Zec 9:16).

refrain . . . embracing— (Joe 2:16; 1Co 7:5, 6).