Ecclesiastes – Chapter 3

Old Testament • 22 Verses

Chapter Summary

"All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven." — so begins Ecclesiastes 3. Adam stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 22 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.

2A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

3A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

5A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

6A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

7A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

8A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.

9What hath man more of his labour?

10I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.

12And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.

13For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.

14I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared.

15That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.

16I saw under the sun in the place of judgment wickedness, and in the place of justice iniquity.

17And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing.

18I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts.

19Therefore the death of man, and of beasts is one, and the condition of them both is equal: as man dieth, so they also die: all things breathe alike, and man hath nothing more than beast: all things are subject to vanity.

20And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together.

21Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward?

22And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him?

Important Verses in Ecclesiastes 3

“All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:8

“He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

“And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing.”

Ecclesiastes 3:17

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Ecclesiastes was written with those tempted to seek lasting meaning in passing things in view. Chapter 3 of 12 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 22 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Adam appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven." The final verse reads: "And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who…" The wider setting of Ecclesiastes is this: Ecclesiastes examines life 'under the sun'—wealth, pleasure, work, knowledge—and finds all of it fleeting: 'vanity of vanities. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Probably 3rd century BC.

Who Wrote It

'Qoheleth' (the Preacher), traditionally associated with Solomon

When It Was Written

Probably 3rd century BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter offers practical instruction on how to live wisely before God in daily life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

Catholic exegesis reads Ecclesiastes 3 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church reads this book in light of eternal life in Christ (CIC 1007). St. Gregory the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1032).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Adam1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of the meaning of life and human limitations.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 supports that call by drawing attention to trust in providence amid uncertainty within the wider message that Apart from God, all is vanity.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of trust in providence amid uncertainty bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 about?

Ecclesiastes 3 contains 22 verses. It opens with "All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven." and closes with "And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who…". The book as a whole is wisdom literature and reflection.

What is a key verse in Ecclesiastes 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Adam.

Who wrote Ecclesiastes and when?

'Qoheleth' (the Preacher), traditionally associated with Solomon. Probably 3rd century BC.

Related Chapters

Genesis 4Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 32Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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