Ecclesiastes 3:6
New International Version
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

New Living Translation
A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

English Standard Version
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Berean Standard Bible
a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,

King James Bible
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

New King James Version
A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

New American Standard Bible
A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

NASB 1995
A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

NASB 1977
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

Legacy Standard Bible
A time to search and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

Amplified Bible
A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.

Christian Standard Bible
a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away;

American Standard Version
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Contemporary English Version
There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving,

English Revised Version
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
a time to start looking and a time to stop looking, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

Good News Translation
He sets the time for finding and the time for losing, the time for saving and the time for throwing away,

International Standard Version
a time to search, and a time to give up searching; a time to keep, and a time to discard;

Majority Standard Bible
a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,

NET Bible
A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

New Heart English Bible
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Webster's Bible Translation
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

World English Bible
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A time to seek, "" And a time to destroy. A time to keep, "" And a time to cast away.

Young's Literal Translation
A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.

Smith's Literal Translation
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to watch, and a time to cast away.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A time to gain, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

New American Bible
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

New Revised Standard Version
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A time to lose and a time to seek; a time to tie up and a time to untie;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A time to lose and a time to seek, a time to bind up and a time to loose
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To Everything There is a Season
5a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,…

Cross References
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 15:8-9
Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? / And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Proverbs 11:24-25
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Matthew 16:25-26
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. / What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Hebrews 10:34
You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

Job 1:21
saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Proverbs 3:13-14
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

1 Samuel 9:3-4
One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” / So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.


Treasury of Scripture

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

time to get

Genesis 30:30
For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

Genesis 31:18
And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

Exodus 12:35,36
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: …

an a time to lose

Matthew 16:25,26
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it…

Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Mark 8:35-37
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it…

and a time to cast

Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

2 Kings 7:15
And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.

Psalm 112:9
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Jump to Previous
Cast Destroy Lose Search Seek Throw Time
Jump to Next
Cast Destroy Lose Search Seek Throw Time
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 search
This phrase suggests a period of active pursuit or seeking, which can be applied to various aspects of life, such as searching for wisdom, truth, or material needs. Biblically, searching is often associated with seeking God (Jeremiah 29:13) or His wisdom (Proverbs 2:4-5). The act of searching implies a sense of purpose and determination, reflecting the human desire to find meaning and fulfillment. In the historical context of ancient Israel, searching could also relate to the pursuit of lost property or reconciliation with others.

and a time to count as lost
This phrase acknowledges the reality of loss and the necessity of recognizing when something cannot be recovered. It reflects the wisdom in accepting limitations and moving forward. In biblical terms, this can relate to the concept of surrendering to God's will, as seen in Job's acceptance of his losses (Job 1:21). The cultural context of the time would have understood loss in terms of both material possessions and relationships, emphasizing the importance of discernment in knowing when to let go.

a time to keep
This phrase highlights the importance of preservation and stewardship. In biblical terms, keeping can refer to maintaining faithfulness to God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:17) or safeguarding what is valuable, whether it be relationships, possessions, or spiritual truths. The historical context of ancient Israel placed great value on the preservation of family heritage and land, which were seen as blessings from God.

and a time to discard
This phrase suggests the necessity of letting go of what is no longer beneficial or necessary. Biblically, this can be seen in the call to cast off sin (Hebrews 12:1) or to leave behind old ways of life (Ephesians 4:22). The cultural context would have understood discarding in terms of purifying one's life and community, removing what is unclean or detrimental. This reflects a broader spiritual principle of renewal and transformation, aligning with the teachings of Jesus on prioritizing the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.

2. Israel
- The nation of Israel serves as the backdrop for Solomon's reign and the context in which Ecclesiastes was written. The cultural and historical setting of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of the book.

3. The Preacher (Qoheleth)
- The term "Qoheleth" is often translated as "The Preacher" or "The Teacher," referring to the speaker in Ecclesiastes who reflects on the meaning of life and the human experience.
Teaching Points
Discernment in Life's Seasons
Life involves various seasons, and wisdom is needed to discern when to search and when to let go. This discernment requires prayer and seeking God's guidance.

Valuing Eternal Over Temporal
As believers, we are called to prioritize eternal values over temporary possessions. This involves evaluating what we hold onto and what we are willing to release for the sake of God's kingdom.

Contentment and Trust in God's Timing
Trusting in God's perfect timing helps us to be content with what we have and to let go of what is not beneficial. This trust is rooted in faith that God knows what is best for us.

Practical Stewardship
Practicing good stewardship involves knowing when to keep resources and when to give them away. This stewardship reflects our responsibility to manage God's blessings wisely.(6) To lose.--Elsewhere this word means to destroy, but in the later Hebrew it comes to mean to lose, like the Latin "perdere."

Verse 6. - A time to get (seek), and a time to lose. The verb abad, in piel, is used in the sense of "to destroy" (Ecclesiastes 7:7), and it is only in late Hebrew that it signifies, as here, "to lose." The reference is doubtless to property, and has no connection with the last clause of the preceding verse, as Delitzsch would opine. There is a proper and lawful pursuit of wealth, and there is a wise and prudent submission to its inevitable loss. The loss here is occasioned by events over which the owner has no control, differing from that in the next clause, which is voluntary. The wise man knows when to exert his energy in improving his fortune, and when to hold his hand and take failure without useless struggle. Loss, too, is sometimes gain, as when Christ's departure in the flesh was the prelude and the occasion of the sending of the Comforter (John 16:7); and there are many things of which we know not the real value till they are beyond our grasp. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. Prudence will make fast what it has won, and will endeavor to preserve it unimpaired. But there are occasions when it is wiser to deprive one's self of some things in order to secure more important ends, as when sailors throw a cargo, etc., overboard in order to save their ship (comp. Jonah 1:5; Acts 27:18, 19, 38). And in higher matters, such as almsgiving, this maxim holds good: "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth.... The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself" (Proverbs 11:24, 25). Plumptre refers to Christ's so-called paradox," Whosoever would (ο{ς α}ν θέλῃ) save his life shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

to search
לְבַקֵּשׁ֙ (lə·ḇaq·qêš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

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

to count as lost,
לְאַבֵּ֔ד (lə·’ab·bêḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

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

to keep
לִשְׁמ֖וֹר (liš·mō·wr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

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

to discard,
לְהַשְׁלִֽיךְ׃ (lə·haš·lîḵ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away


Links
Ecclesiastes 3:6 NIV
Ecclesiastes 3:6 NLT
Ecclesiastes 3:6 ESV
Ecclesiastes 3:6 NASB
Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV

Ecclesiastes 3:6 BibleApps.com
Ecclesiastes 3:6 Biblia Paralela
Ecclesiastes 3:6 Chinese Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:6 French Bible
Ecclesiastes 3:6 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:6 A time to seek and a time (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 3:5
Top of Page
Top of Page