Ecclesiastes 3:2

KJV

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;

KJV (with Strong's)

A time {H6256} to be born {H3205}, and a time {H6256} to die {H4191}; a time {H6256} to plant {H5193}, and a time {H6256} to pluck up {H6131} that which is planted {H5193};

Complete Jewish Bible

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Berean Standard Bible

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

American Standard Version

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 3:2, part of the iconic "a time for everything" poem (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), profoundly articulates the Preacher's observation that every aspect of human experience, from the most fundamental acts of birth and death to the practical rhythms of agriculture, is governed by an appointed, divinely ordained season. This verse establishes a foundational truth: life is not chaotic or random, but rather unfolds within a structured framework of God's sovereign timing and purpose, inviting humanity to discern and embrace the appropriate actions for each season.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 3:2 is the second line in a poetic litany (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) that explores the seemingly paradoxical and often contrasting events that comprise human existence. This passage serves as a central thesis for the book of Ecclesiastes, providing a counterpoint to the Preacher's recurring lament of "hebel" (often translated "vanity" or "meaningless") by asserting that while human endeavors "under the sun" may appear futile, there is an overarching divine order. The verse's structure, repeating "a time to..." followed by contrasting pairs, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's control over all of life's seasons, from the most profound personal milestones to the mundane agricultural tasks. It sets the stage for the Preacher's conclusion in [Ecclesiastes 12:13-14](/ecclesiastes/12-13 "Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - The Whole Duty of Man") that true meaning is found in fearing God and keeping His commandments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society, making the imagery of "planting" and "plucking up" immediately relatable and deeply significant. Their lives were intimately tied to the cycles of nature, which were understood as being under God's control (cf. [Psalm 104:14](/psalm/104-14 "Psalm 104:14 - God Provides for Creation")). Birth and death were not merely biological events but profoundly spiritual and communal experiences, marking the beginning and end of a divinely given life. The wisdom literature, of which Ecclesiastes is a part, often drew upon common human experiences and natural phenomena to convey profound theological truths, grounding abstract concepts in the tangible realities of daily life. The concept of "time" (`'êth'`) in this context refers less to chronological duration and more to the opportune or appointed moment for a specific action or event, reflecting a worldview where divine providence dictated the rhythm of existence.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent throughout Ecclesiastes and the broader wisdom literature. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty Over Time**, asserting that God is the ultimate orchestrator of all events, ensuring that everything happens in its appointed season. This challenges the notion of a chaotic universe and provides a framework for understanding life's unpredictable nature. Secondly, it highlights the **Cycles of Life and Human Mortality**, emphasizing that birth and death are universal and inescapable experiences, divinely appointed beginnings and endings that underscore the brevity of human life "under the sun" (cf. [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")). Finally, the agricultural metaphor points to the theme of **Patience and Discernment**, suggesting that just as there is a proper time for sowing and harvesting, there is a wisdom in discerning the appropriate season for action, effort, and even letting go in all aspects of life, mirroring the principle found in [Proverbs 15:23](/proverbs/15-23 "Proverbs 15:23 - A Word Fitly Spoken").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **time (Hebrew, _‘êth'_):** (H6256) This crucial word, repeated throughout the passage, signifies more than mere chronological duration. It denotes an "appointed time," an "opportune moment," or a "suitable season" for a specific purpose or action. It implies a divinely established order and appropriateness for each event, suggesting that there is a right time for everything under heaven, not just a random occurrence.
* **born (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** (H3205) Derived from a primitive root meaning "to bear young" or "to beget," this word refers to the act of being brought forth into existence. In this context, it marks the divinely appointed beginning of life, the initial entry into the human experience, a fundamental and universal event.
* **plant (Hebrew, _nâṭaʻ'_):** (H5193) This primitive root means "to strike in" or "to fix," specifically "to plant." It represents the act of initiation, sowing, investing effort, or establishing something with the expectation of future growth or fruit. It is an act of purposeful engagement with the natural world, requiring foresight and patience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A time to be born":** This clause speaks to the divinely appointed moment of entry into life. It underscores that human existence begins not by chance, but by a sovereign decree, marking the start of an individual's journey within God's grand design. It acknowledges the miracle and mystery of new life.
* **"and a time to die":** This contrasting clause highlights the equally appointed moment of departure from life. It confronts the reality of human mortality, asserting that death, like birth, is part of God's established order for humanity. It is a universal and inescapable transition, not an arbitrary end.
* **"a time to plant":** This agricultural metaphor signifies a season for initiation, for sowing seeds, for investing effort and resources into a venture or a relationship. It represents the active phase of preparation and cultivation, where one lays the groundwork for future growth and productivity.
* **"and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted":** This concluding clause completes the agricultural cycle, referring to the act of harvesting, removing, or bringing to an end that which was previously established. It implies a season for completion, for reaping the results, or for dismantling what has served its purpose, making way for new cycles.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 3:2 employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident through the use of **antithetical parallelism**, where opposing concepts are presented in parallel structure ("to be born" vs. "to die," "to plant" vs. "to pluck up"). This highlights the comprehensive nature of life's experiences, encompassing both beginnings and endings, creation and dissolution. The pairing of these opposites also functions as **merism**, where two extremes are mentioned to represent the totality of possibilities in between, suggesting that all aspects of life, from the most profound to the most practical, are under divine appointment. The use of **metaphor** is central, with the agricultural imagery of "planting" and "plucking up" serving as a relatable illustration for the broader cycles of effort, growth, and conclusion in human endeavors. Finally, the repeated phrase "a time to..." at the beginning of each clause is an example of **anaphora**, which creates a rhythmic, insistent tone, reinforcing the pervasive and inescapable nature of these divinely ordained seasons.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 3:2 lays a profound theological foundation, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over the entirety of human existence and the natural world. It teaches that life's events, even those seemingly contradictory or difficult, are not random but are orchestrated by a wise and purposeful Creator who has established an appointed time for everything. This understanding encourages a posture of trust and acceptance, recognizing that God's timing is perfect, even when it does not align with human desires or expectations. It challenges us to live with discernment, seeking to understand and align with the divine rhythm rather than resisting the inevitable seasons of life.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")
* [Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Galatians 6:9 - Reaping in Due Season")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding Ecclesiastes 3:2 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of peace and intentionality in our lives. Rather than striving against the natural ebb and flow of existence, we are called to embrace each season as a divinely appointed opportunity for growth, learning, or rest. This perspective frees us from the anxiety of needing to control every outcome and instead fosters a deep trust in God's overarching plan. It encourages us to discern wisely when to initiate new ventures ("a time to plant") and when to let go or conclude old ones ("a time to pluck up"), recognizing that both action and cessation have their proper place and purpose. Ultimately, this verse calls us to live present in the moment, fully engaging with the opportunities and challenges of our current season, knowing that God is at work in all things, for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What season of life do you currently find yourself in (e.g., planting, growing, harvesting, letting go, resting)?**
* **How does the idea of God's appointed "time" for birth and death bring comfort or challenge to your understanding of life's major transitions?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting a necessary "plucking up" or holding onto something beyond its appointed time?**
* **How can you better align your actions and expectations with God's timing, rather than your own perceived timeline?**

### FAQ
**Does Ecclesiastes 3:2 imply fatalism, meaning we have no free will or agency?**

Answer: No, Ecclesiastes 3:2 does not advocate for fatalism. While it emphasizes God's sovereign control over the "times" and "seasons" of life, it does not negate human responsibility or agency. The Preacher's point is that there is an *appropriate* or *opportune* time for various actions, implying that human wisdom lies in discerning and acting according to these divinely established rhythms. For example, "a time to plant" suggests human effort and decision-making are involved, but that effort is most fruitful when aligned with the right season. The passage highlights God's overarching design, within which human choices and actions still hold significance. It's a call to wise discernment and submission to divine providence, not a declaration of absolute predetermination that removes human will. The Bible consistently affirms both God's sovereignty and human responsibility, as seen in passages like [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 3:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the principle of divine timing. His entire earthly life, from His miraculous birth to His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, unfolded according to God's precise and appointed "time." There was "a time to be born" for the Savior, fulfilled in His incarnation (cf. [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son When the Time Had Fully Come")), and "a time to die," which He embraced on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (cf. [Romans 5:6](/romans/5-6 "Romans 5:6 - Christ Died for the Ungodly")). Jesus Himself spoke of His "hour" (e.g., [John 13:1](/john/13-1 "John 13:1 - Jesus Knew His Hour Had Come")), signifying the divinely appointed moment for His crucifixion and glorification. Furthermore, Christ is the great "planter" of the Kingdom of God, sowing the seeds of truth and life (cf. [Matthew 13:37](/matthew/13-37 "Matthew 13:37 - The Sower of Good Seed")). His resurrection was the "firstfruits" of a spiritual harvest (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), and He will ultimately return at "a time to pluck up" the righteous, gathering His harvest at the end of the age (cf. [Revelation 14:15](/revelation/14-15 "Revelation 14:15 - The Harvest of the Earth")). Thus, Ecclesiastes 3:2 points to Christ as the one who perfectly lives out God's appointed times and through whom all of life's seasons, including our own birth into faith and ultimate death and resurrection, find their eternal purpose.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Job 14:5

Seeing his days [are] determined, the number of his months [are] with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Jeremiah 18:7

[At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];

Jeremiah 18:10

If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Luke 1:20

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Matthew 15:13

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.