Ecclesiastes 3:3

“A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;”
King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations of Ecclesiastes 3:3

A time to kill, and a time to heale: a time to breake downe, and a time to build vp.
- King James Version (1611) - Compare to scan of original Ecclesiastes chapter 3

A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
- American Standard Version (1901)

A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
- Basic English Bible

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

A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.
- Douay Rheims Bible

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

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 slay, And a time to heal, A time to break down, And a time to build up.
- Youngs Literal Bible

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

BSP's comment on 2020-12-23 15:56:24:

There is a time for everything and we must use discernment to be able to tell when it is the appropriate time for something.

Thomas's comment on 2020-10-17 07:43:55:

in Reply on Ecclesiastes 3:3 Don't be a fool- the bible gives you a right to defend yourself. Genesis 9:5-6

5And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

stanjett's comment on 2020-09-19 19:27:03:

If someone came to murder me for some reason, I would blow them away. And I don't think God would blame me.

Richard's comment on 2020-09-19 17:17:26:

Not knowing why this was posted here. In the past the same mentality was in my head. Purchasing firearms and whatnot. Although after receiving Christ I will never take the life of another human willingly. Even if they have come to murder me for some reason. I will be the victim. To not have the blood of anyone else on my hands.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example to follow. What did He do when they came to arrest Him to put Him to death? He knowing what was to come.

Put on love and trust in our Perfect Father. God Bless you all my brothers and sisters.

John's comment on 2020-09-19 11:46:18:

...because when someone comes to murder you, you may kill them.

BSP's comment on 2020-08-31 09:30:26:

Verse 13-Jehovah God created us to enjoy work and leisure. We must find the balance between both.

Dawn's comment on 2020-04-29 08:14:03:

Makes sense.

thx

Chris's comment on 2020-04-29 00:47:27:

Dawn, you are correct that the Bible teaches that murder is sin, as is Anger akin to murder (Mt 5:21,22). But when we come to Eccl 3:3 we see an apparent conflict in God's command against it elsewhere. We see the writer (we believe it's Solomon), of Ecclesiastes ponder over some aspects of life: its aimless cycles, paradoxes, futility, and yet, through all these, we need to recognize that life is a gift from God to us & to be enjoyed within the scope of obedience to Him & that true justice will be served by Him at the end. But he says that within the full scope of life, with its happy times & sad times, there is a time when death will occur (unnaturally). Now my understanding of verse 3, is that the "time to kill" must refer to those times of war when sadly, the soldier has to kill & be killed, also, it can refer to the outcome of justice, where the Judge pronounces the death sentence upon one convicted of wilful murder (e.g. Gen 9:6, as well as many instances where God has called upon the leaders of the Israelites to execute those who broke certain of His Laws). Now some today may find this very offensive, but that was God's requirement to maintain a Holy Standard among His people, as it is still His requirement for judges today to maintain such punishment for capital crimes. You may not agree with this, but this is what is required to maintain true justice & give real protection to the people.

Dawn Silva's comment on 2020-04-28 11:58:24:

Re: Ecclesiastes 3:3

Why would there be a time time to kill if the bible teaches love one another above all things. What does this verse actually mean or what did it truly mean when it was written? Why would this be in the bible?

One of the ten commandments states thou shalt not murder.

While reading the bible and trying to figure out Ecc. 3:3, I find it disturbing.

Thank you for addressing this email.

Dawn

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