


Ecclesiastes 3:7
Bible Versions
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
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Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time. -
Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. -
Esther 4:13
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. -
Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this? -
Proverbs 24:11
¶ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain; -
Proverbs 24:12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works? -
Lamentations 3:28
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne [it] upon him.
Ecclesiastes 3:7 is part of the famous poetic passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, often referred to as "a time for everything." This verse highlights two pairs of contrasting human actions, emphasizing the appropriate timing for each, underscoring the Preacher's (Qoheleth's) profound observations on life's divinely ordered cycles.
Context
This verse is nestled within a larger poem that lists fourteen pairs of opposite human experiences and actions, all under the overarching theme that there is a specific, divinely appointed "time" for every activity under heaven. The author, traditionally King Solomon, presents these contrasts not as random occurrences but as part of a structured reality, implying a sovereign hand guiding the flow of life. The wisdom of Ecclesiastes often encourages readers to discern and accept these inherent rhythms rather than fighting against them, finding peace in God's ultimate control.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrases "to rend" and "to sew" carry significant cultural weight:
Related Scriptures
The wisdom of knowing when to be silent and when to speak is a recurring theme in biblical wisdom literature. Proverbs 17:28 states, "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise," highlighting the value of restraint. Conversely, there are times when silence is not an option, such as when one must speak the truth of God's word, as Peter and John declared in Acts 4:20. The concept of rending garments is contrasted with rending one's heart, not garments, in Joel 2:13, emphasizing true repentance over outward displays.
Practical Application
Ecclesiastes 3:7 encourages believers to cultivate discernment in their daily lives. It challenges us to: