Ecc 3:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Eccl 3:1-8: 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven: Wisdom recognizes that everything has its own season—in human activities as in the realm of nature (see 1:3-7 ). A wise person will determine the appropriate time to pursue any activity (8:5 ). The opportunity is fleeting (Eph 5:16 ; Col 4:5 ).

a3:1-8►

b1:3-7►

c8:5►

dEph 5:16►

eCol 4:5►

f3:2-8►

g8:8►

hPss 5:5►

i11:5►

‏ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Summary for Eccl 3:1-8: 3:1-8 ^a For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven: Wisdom recognizes that everything has its own season—in human activities as in the realm of nature (see 1:3-7 ^b). A wise person will determine the appropriate time to pursue any activity (8:5 ^c). The opportunity is fleeting (Eph 5:16 ^d; Col 4:5 ^e).
Summary for Eccl 3:2-8: 3:2-8 ^f We have no control over when we are born or when we die (8:8 ^g), but it is our responsibility to live wisely between those events.

• plant and ... harvest: Wise agricultural decisions must be made in the natural seasons.

• In ancient Israel, the times to kill included capital punishment and war.

• In times of mourning, people in the Near East would often tear their clothes.

• There is a time to hate, even for God (Pss 5:5 ^h; 11:5 ⁱ).