Ecclesiastes 3:2

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

עת עֵת

seasonal time

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

עת

ʻêth

Definition

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.

Root

from H5703 (עד);

Exhaustive

from עד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6256

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עֵת

noun masculine • Strongs / High • Page 1146

Time (generally); properly, what is bounded, defined, or established. Refers to occasion, season, period (time of evening, spring, harvest, youth), suitable/right time, or future time. Grammatically common gender (masc. or fem.).

עֵת

noun • Strongs / High • Page 1147

time. Plur. עִתִּים: times = courses of time, occurrences of time, determinations of time, destiny, fate; adverse times.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בָּעַת

verb • Page 109

In Kal not used. Pi. בִּעֵת: 1. to frighten, terrify (Ps. 18:5, Job 9:34). 2. to come upon suddenly (1 Sam. 16:14, 15). Niph. to fear, be afraid (Dan. 8:17).

עֵת

com. gen. • Root ענה • Page 533

time. (Hos. 13: 13, Job 22: 16, Est. 1: 13, etc.). Plur. עִתִּים and עִתּוֹת (1.) destinies. Ps. 31: 16. (2.) times, Lat. vices. Neh. 9: 28.

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: καιρῷ καιροσ καιρὸν καιρὸσ ὥραν

LXX Usage Statistics

H6256:

καιρῷ 94× (25.7%)

καιροσ 32× (11.0%)

καιρὸν 20× (6.1%)

καιρὸσ 19× (6.0%)

ὥραν 16× (4.6%)

καιροῦ 13× (4.4%)

--- 11× (4.1%)

ὡσ 9× (3.3%)

ὥρα 6× (1.7%)

'' 6× (1.9%)

ללדת לָלֶדֶת

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ל

lə

Definition

to, for

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(lamed) — to / toward / for

Core value: orientation, directionality, belonging
ל is often mistranslated as purpose (“in order to”), but that smuggles in future-time. In reality, ל marks:
- movement toward,
- dedication unto,
- reference with respect to.
Aonically, ל is vectorial, not teleological.
not “for the sake of a future outcome”
but “oriented toward a locus or pole.”
This is why possession (“belongs to”) and motion (“toward”) use the same preposition: both indicate relational alignment, not time.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

ילד

yâlad

Definition

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3205

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יָלַד

verb • Root ילד • Strongs / High • Page 608

To bear, to bring forth, spoken of women giving birth to children, beasts bearing young, or birds laying eggs.

יָלַד

verb • Root ילד • Strongs / High • Page 609

To bear, bring forth (of a woman); to beget (of a father). Figuratively: to bring forth, make appear, cause to take place; to create, produce, appoint.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יָלַד

verb • Root ילד • Page 283

1. to bring forth, as a mother (Gen. 4:1; Prov. 17:25). 2. to beget, as a father (Gen. 4:18; Ps. 2:7). 3. to lay eggs (Jer. 17:11). Includes stems: Niph. נוֹלַד (to be born, Gen. 4:18), Pi. יִלֵּד (to help to bring forth, as a midwife, Ex. 1:16), Pu. יֻלַּד (to be born, Gen. 10:21), and Hiph. הוֹלִיד (to cause to bring forth, Is. 66:9).

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: ἐγέννησεν ἔτεκεν γεννῆσαι ἔτεκον ἐτέχθησαν

LXX Usage Statistics

H3205:

ἐγέννησεν 153× (30.2%)

ἔτεκεν 97× (18.6%)

γεννῆσαι 17× (3.0%)

ἔτεκον 11× (2.2%)

ἐτέχθησαν 9× (1.8%)

τικτούσησ 9× (1.6%)

ὡσ 8× (1.7%)

τεκεῖν 7× (1.3%)

τέξεται 7× (1.3%)

ἐγένοντο 7× (1.4%)

ועת וְעֵת

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

עת

ʻêth

Definition

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.

Root

from H5703 (עד);

Exhaustive

from עד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6256

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עֵת

noun masculine • Strongs / High • Page 1146

Time (generally); properly, what is bounded, defined, or established. Refers to occasion, season, period (time of evening, spring, harvest, youth), suitable/right time, or future time. Grammatically common gender (masc. or fem.).

עֵת

noun • Strongs / High • Page 1147

time. Plur. עִתִּים: times = courses of time, occurrences of time, determinations of time, destiny, fate; adverse times.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בָּעַת

verb • Page 109

In Kal not used. Pi. בִּעֵת: 1. to frighten, terrify (Ps. 18:5, Job 9:34). 2. to come upon suddenly (1 Sam. 16:14, 15). Niph. to fear, be afraid (Dan. 8:17).

עֵת

com. gen. • Root ענה • Page 533

time. (Hos. 13: 13, Job 22: 16, Est. 1: 13, etc.). Plur. עִתִּים and עִתּוֹת (1.) destinies. Ps. 31: 16. (2.) times, Lat. vices. Neh. 9: 28.

Conjunction, Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: καιρῷ καιροσ καιρὸν καιρὸσ ὥραν

LXX Usage Statistics

H6256:

καιρῷ 94× (25.7%)

καιροσ 32× (11.0%)

καιρὸν 20× (6.1%)

καιρὸσ 19× (6.0%)

ὥραν 16× (4.6%)

καιροῦ 13× (4.4%)

--- 11× (4.1%)

ὡσ 9× (3.3%)

ὥρα 6× (1.7%)

'' 6× (1.9%)

למות לָמוּת

to die/the death

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ל

lə

Definition

to, for

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(lamed) — to / toward / for

Core value: orientation, directionality, belonging
ל is often mistranslated as purpose (“in order to”), but that smuggles in future-time. In reality, ל marks:
- movement toward,
- dedication unto,
- reference with respect to.
Aonically, ל is vectorial, not teleological.
not “for the sake of a future outcome”
but “oriented toward a locus or pole.”
This is why possession (“belongs to”) and motion (“toward”) use the same preposition: both indicate relational alignment, not time.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

מות

mûwth

Definition

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4191

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מוּת

verb • Root מות • Strongs / High • Page 829

(Qal) To be stretched, extended, or stiffen, as the limbs of an expiring body; hence to die, of men or animals. Metaphorically, to decay, be waste, be destroyed, or disappear.

מוּת

verb • Root מות • Strongs / High • Page 830

A verb root meaning to die, to expire. The lexicon provides extensive etymological background, connecting it to Arabic, Greek, Sanskrit, and other languages.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

מוּת

verb • Page 365

1. to die (1 Sam. 25: 37; Gen. 45: 27). 2. to perish, be destroyed; spoken of a state (Am. 2: 2), or to become wretched (Prov. 15: 10). Pil. and Hiph. to kill, slay (1 Sam. 14: 13). Hoph. to be killed (Deut. 21: 22).

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: ἀπέθανεν θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται ἀποθάνῃ ἀποθανοῦνται

LXX Usage Statistics

H4191:

ἀπέθανεν 120× (13.8%)

θανάτῳ 54× (6.7%)

ἀποθανεῖται 48× (6.0%)

ἀποθάνῃ 35× (4.2%)

ἀποθανοῦνται 23× (2.9%)

θανατῶσαι 22× (2.6%)

τέθνηκεν 21× (2.6%)

ἐθανάτωσεν 20× (2.3%)

ἀποθανῇ 18× (2.3%)

ἐτελεύτησεν 15× (1.7%)

עת עֵת

seasonal time

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

עת

ʻêth

Definition

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.

Root

from H5703 (עד);

Exhaustive

from עד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6256

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עֵת

noun masculine • Strongs / High • Page 1146

Time (generally); properly, what is bounded, defined, or established. Refers to occasion, season, period (time of evening, spring, harvest, youth), suitable/right time, or future time. Grammatically common gender (masc. or fem.).

עֵת

noun • Strongs / High • Page 1147

time. Plur. עִתִּים: times = courses of time, occurrences of time, determinations of time, destiny, fate; adverse times.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בָּעַת

verb • Page 109

In Kal not used. Pi. בִּעֵת: 1. to frighten, terrify (Ps. 18:5, Job 9:34). 2. to come upon suddenly (1 Sam. 16:14, 15). Niph. to fear, be afraid (Dan. 8:17).

עֵת

com. gen. • Root ענה • Page 533

time. (Hos. 13: 13, Job 22: 16, Est. 1: 13, etc.). Plur. עִתִּים and עִתּוֹת (1.) destinies. Ps. 31: 16. (2.) times, Lat. vices. Neh. 9: 28.

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: καιρῷ καιροσ καιρὸν καιρὸσ ὥραν

LXX Usage Statistics

H6256:

καιρῷ 94× (25.7%)

καιροσ 32× (11.0%)

καιρὸν 20× (6.1%)

καιρὸσ 19× (6.0%)

ὥραν 16× (4.6%)

καιροῦ 13× (4.4%)

--- 11× (4.1%)

ὡσ 9× (3.3%)

ὥρα 6× (1.7%)

'' 6× (1.9%)

לטעת לָטַעַת

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ל

lə

Definition

to, for

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(lamed) — to / toward / for

Core value: orientation, directionality, belonging
ל is often mistranslated as purpose (“in order to”), but that smuggles in future-time. In reality, ל marks:
- movement toward,
- dedication unto,
- reference with respect to.
Aonically, ל is vectorial, not teleological.
not “for the sake of a future outcome”
but “oriented toward a locus or pole.”
This is why possession (“belongs to”) and motion (“toward”) use the same preposition: both indicate relational alignment, not time.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

נטע

nâṭaʻ

Definition

properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant(-er).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5193

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

נָטַע

verb • Root נטע • Strongs / High • Page 966

prop. to put in, hence to strike in, to stick in, a nail, a pin; to fasten or make firm; to set up, a statue; but commonly to plant.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

נָטַע

verb • Root נטע • Page 440

1. to plant, also to set with plants (Ezek. 36:36). 2. metaphorically to plant, settle, establish, (a people) (Am. 9:15, Jer. 24:6, Is. 80:9). 3. to drive in (a nail) (Ecc. 12:11); also to set up (an image) (Deut. 16:21). 4. to pitch or erect a tent (Dan. 11:45, Is. 51:16).

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: ἐφύτευσεν φυτεύσατε αὐτοὺσ φυτεύσεισ καταφυτεύσω

LXX Usage Statistics

H5193:

ἐφύτευσεν 7× (11.6%)

φυτεύσατε 5× (8.2%)

αὐτοὺσ 5× (6.9%)

φυτεύσεισ 4× (7.2%)

καταφυτεύσω 4× (6.2%)

καταφυτεύσουσιν 3× (4.6%)

κατεφύτευσασ 3× (4.9%)

ἐφύτευσα 3× (4.6%)

ἐφύτευσά 2× (3.6%)

ἐφυτεύσατε 2× (3.6%)

ועת וְעֵת

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

עת

ʻêth

Definition

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.

Root

from H5703 (עד);

Exhaustive

from עד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6256

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עֵת

noun masculine • Strongs / High • Page 1146

Time (generally); properly, what is bounded, defined, or established. Refers to occasion, season, period (time of evening, spring, harvest, youth), suitable/right time, or future time. Grammatically common gender (masc. or fem.).

עֵת

noun • Strongs / High • Page 1147

time. Plur. עִתִּים: times = courses of time, occurrences of time, determinations of time, destiny, fate; adverse times.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

בָּעַת

verb • Page 109

In Kal not used. Pi. בִּעֵת: 1. to frighten, terrify (Ps. 18:5, Job 9:34). 2. to come upon suddenly (1 Sam. 16:14, 15). Niph. to fear, be afraid (Dan. 8:17).

עֵת

com. gen. • Root ענה • Page 533

time. (Hos. 13: 13, Job 22: 16, Est. 1: 13, etc.). Plur. עִתִּים and עִתּוֹת (1.) destinies. Ps. 31: 16. (2.) times, Lat. vices. Neh. 9: 28.

Conjunction, Noun common both singular absolute

LXX: καιρῷ καιροσ καιρὸν καιρὸσ ὥραν

LXX Usage Statistics

H6256:

καιρῷ 94× (25.7%)

καιροσ 32× (11.0%)

καιρὸν 20× (6.1%)

καιρὸσ 19× (6.0%)

ὥραν 16× (4.6%)

καιροῦ 13× (4.4%)

--- 11× (4.1%)

ὡσ 9× (3.3%)

ὥρα 6× (1.7%)

'' 6× (1.9%)

לעקור לַעֲקוֹר

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ל

lə

Definition

to, for

Root

A primitive particle; a prefix

Exhaustive

(lamed) — to / toward / for

Core value: orientation, directionality, belonging
ל is often mistranslated as purpose (“in order to”), but that smuggles in future-time. In reality, ל marks:
- movement toward,
- dedication unto,
- reference with respect to.
Aonically, ל is vectorial, not teleological.
not “for the sake of a future outcome”
but “oriented toward a locus or pole.”
This is why possession (“belongs to”) and motion (“toward”) use the same preposition: both indicate relational alignment, not time.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

עקר

ʻâqar

Definition

to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate; dig down, hough, pluck up, root up.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6131

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

עָקַר

aram. (aramaic) • Root עקר • Strongs / High • Page 1125

(unused) Aram. the same; deriv. עָקָר (out of Pael) and denom. עָקַר.

עָקַר

verb / noun proper masculine • Root עקר • Strongs / High • Page 1126

2. (unused) the foot-sinews of animals; deriv. Pih. denom. 3. (naturalisation) n. p. m.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

עָקַר

verb • Page 523

to root out, to pluck up (any thing planted). Ecc. 3: 2.

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: παρέλυσεν

LXX Usage Statistics

H6131a:

παρέλυσεν 2× (26.0%)

נטוע נָטוּעַ׃

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

נטע

nâṭaʻ

Definition

properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively); fastened, plant(-er).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H5193

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

נָטַע

verb • Root נטע • Strongs / High • Page 966

prop. to put in, hence to strike in, to stick in, a nail, a pin; to fasten or make firm; to set up, a statue; but commonly to plant.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

נָטַע

verb • Root נטע • Page 440

1. to plant, also to set with plants (Ezek. 36:36). 2. metaphorically to plant, settle, establish, (a people) (Am. 9:15, Jer. 24:6, Is. 80:9). 3. to drive in (a nail) (Ecc. 12:11); also to set up (an image) (Deut. 16:21). 4. to pitch or erect a tent (Dan. 11:45, Is. 51:16).

Verb Qal participle passive masculine singular absolute

LXX: ἐφύτευσεν φυτεύσατε αὐτοὺσ φυτεύσεισ καταφυτεύσω

LXX Usage Statistics

H5193:

ἐφύτευσεν 7× (11.6%)

φυτεύσατε 5× (8.2%)

αὐτοὺσ 5× (6.9%)

φυτεύσεισ 4× (7.2%)

καταφυτεύσω 4× (6.2%)

καταφυτεύσουσιν 3× (4.6%)

κατεφύτευσασ 3× (4.9%)

ἐφύτευσα 3× (4.6%)

ἐφύτευσά 2× (3.6%)

ἐφυτεύσατε 2× (3.6%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up the planting.

LITV Translation:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted;

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
A time of birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;