Ecclesiastes 3:3
New International Version
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

New Living Translation
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.

English Standard Version
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Berean Standard Bible
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build,

King James Bible
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

New King James Version
A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;

New American Standard Bible
A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

NASB 1995
A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

NASB 1977
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.

Legacy Standard Bible
A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

Amplified Bible
A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.

Christian Standard Bible
a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build;

American Standard Version
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Contemporary English Version
for killing and healing, destroying and building,

English Revised Version
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up,

Good News Translation
the time for killing and the time for healing, the time for tearing down and the time for building.

International Standard Version
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up;

Majority Standard Bible
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build,

NET Bible
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

New Heart English Bible
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Webster's Bible Translation
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

World English Bible
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A time to slay, "" And a time to heal, "" A time to break down, "" And a time to build up.

Young's Literal Translation
A time to slay, And a time to heal, A time to break down, And a time to build up.

Smith's Literal Translation
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to tear down, and a time to build up.

New American Bible
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.

New Revised Standard Version
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A time to kill and a time to save life, a time to tear down and a time to build
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to pull down, and a time to build up;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To Everything There is a Season
2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,…

Cross References
Jeremiah 1:10
See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

Hosea 6:1
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

2 Kings 5:10
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”

Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Job 5:18
For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

Romans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

1 Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

time to kill

Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

1 Samuel 2:6,25
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up…

Hosea 6:1,2
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up…

a time to heal

Numbers 26:6-9
Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites…

Isaiah 38:5
Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

a time to break

Isaiah 5:5,6
And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: …

Isaiah 44:26
That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

Jeremiah 31:28
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

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Ecclesiastes 3
1. by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail
11. is an excellence in God's works
16. as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast














A time to kill
The phrase "a time to kill" in Ecclesiastes 3:3 can be understood within the context of the Hebrew word "harag," which means to kill or slay. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe acts of war or justice. In the historical context of ancient Israel, there were times when killing was sanctioned, such as in warfare or capital punishment, as part of maintaining justice and order. This phrase acknowledges the harsh realities of life in a fallen world, where sometimes difficult decisions must be made. It is a reminder of the sovereignty of God over life and death, and the necessity of discernment in determining when such actions are justified.

and a time to heal
The word "heal" comes from the Hebrew "rapha," which means to restore or make whole. This phrase contrasts with the previous one, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and the balance between destruction and restoration. Healing is a significant theme throughout the Bible, often associated with God's mercy and compassion. In the historical context, healing could refer to physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration. It serves as a reminder of God's power to restore and renew, offering hope and redemption even after times of destruction or loss.

a time to break down
The phrase "a time to break down" uses the Hebrew word "parats," which means to break or tear down. This can refer to the physical act of demolishing structures or the metaphorical breaking down of barriers or systems. In the scriptural context, breaking down can be seen as a necessary step before rebuilding or renewal. It reflects the idea that sometimes old structures, whether physical or ideological, must be dismantled to make way for new growth or understanding. This process, though often painful, is part of God's plan for transformation and renewal.

and a time to build
The word "build" is derived from the Hebrew "banah," which means to construct or establish. This phrase complements the previous one, emphasizing the constructive phase that follows breaking down. Building is a central theme in the Bible, symbolizing creation, growth, and the establishment of God's kingdom. In the historical context, building could refer to the construction of cities, temples, or communities. It signifies hope, progress, and the fulfillment of God's promises. This phrase encourages believers to participate in God's work of building and restoring, contributing to the advancement of His purposes on earth.

Verse 3. - A time to kill, and a time to heal. The time to kill might refer to war, only that occurs in ver. 8. Some endeavor to limit the notion to severe surgical operations performed with a view of saving life; but the verb harag does not admit of the meaning "rewound" or" cut." It most probably refers to the execution of criminals, or to the defense of the oppressed; such emergencies and necessities occur providentially without man's prescience. So sickness is a visitation beyond man's control, while it calls into exercise the art of healing, which is a gift of God (see Ecclus. 10:10 Ecclus. 38:1, etc.). A time to break down, and a time to build up. The removal of decaying or unsuitable buildings is meant, and the substitution of new and improved structures. A recollection of Solomon's own extensive architectural works is here introduced.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
a time
עֵ֤ת (‘êṯ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

to kill
לַהֲרוֹג֙ (la·hă·rō·wḡ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

and a time
וְעֵ֣ת (wə·‘êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

to heal,
לִרְפּ֔וֹא (lir·pō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7495: To mend, to cure

a time
עֵ֥ת (‘êṯ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

to break down
לִפְר֖וֹץ (lip̄·rō·wṣ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6555: To break through

and a time
וְעֵ֥ת (wə·‘êṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

to build,
לִבְנֽוֹת׃ (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill and a time (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 3:2
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