Ecclesiastes 3:7

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%)

לקרוע לִקְרוֹעַ

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

קרע

qâraʻ

Definition

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H7167

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

קָרַע

verb transitive • Strongs / High • Page 1300

To rend asunder, to tear in pieces (with the accusative).

קָרַע

verb transitive • Root קרע • Strongs / High • Page 1300

1. To rend asunder, to tear in pieces (a garment); to tear off.

קָרַע

verb • Strongs / High • Page 1301

To separate, to cut out, to rend (garments, heart, heavens); Figuratively: to tear away, to withdraw, take away (dignity); to slander, calumniate (to tear in pieces).

קָרַע

tr. prop. verb • Root קרע • Strongs / High • Page 1301

To tear asunder, to tear in pieces; hence 1. (not used) to destroy, to extirpate. 2. To open up (e.g., the eyes or mouth), a gesture of the malicious, of falsehood, or scorn.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

קָרַע

verb • Page 598

1. to rend, to tear in pieces (clothes) Gen. 37: 29. 2. to tear open (eyes) Jer. 4: 30. 3. to tear off or away. Lev. 13: 56. 4. to cut in pieces. Jer. 36: 23. 5. to cut out. Jer. 22: 14. 6. to revile. Ps. 35: 15.

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: διέρρηξεν διέρρηξαν διαρρήξω διέρρηξασ διαρρήξατε

LXX Usage Statistics

H7167:

διέρρηξεν 22× (32.2%)

διέρρηξαν 4× (6.2%)

διαρρήξω 4× (5.7%)

διέρρηξασ 3× (4.4%)

διαρρήξατε 2× (3.0%)

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%)

לתפור לִתְפּוֹר

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

תפר

tâphar

Definition

to sew

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to sew; (women that) sew (together).

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H8609

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

הִתְפָּרַד

verb • Root פרד • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1190

to be dispersed, i. e. to go singly, by self; to be separated; to separate oneself, i. e. to refuse service.

הִתְפָּרַץ

hithp. • Root פרץ • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1196

To break through, to break away (of slaves).

הִתְפָּרֵק

hithp. • Root פרק • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1196

To be broken off, to be torn off; to put off.

הִתְפָּרֵר

hithp. • Root פרר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1197

To be shaken, to be rent asunder (of the earth Is. 24, 19).

תְּפַר

unknown • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1363

Example of interchange of ת and שׂ.

תָּפַר

verb • Root תפר • Lemma_Lookup • Page 1528

To tie or sew together, especially plantain-leaves; figuratively, to put on closely.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

תָּפַר

verb • Page 724

to sew together. Gen. 3:7. Ecc. 3:7. Job 16:15.

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H8609:

No stats available

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%)

לחשות לַחֲשׁוֹת

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

חשה

châshâh

Definition

to hush or keep quiet

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to hush or keep quiet; hold peace, keep silence, be silent, (be) still.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H2814

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

חָשָׁה

verb • Strongs / High • Page 540

To be quiet, inactive, still (e.g., of waves); to be silent, speechless.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

חָשָׁה

verb • Page 254

I. 1. to be silent (Ecc. 3: 7; Ps. 107: 29). 2. to keep still, not to act, spoken of God (Is. 62: 1, 6; 64: 11; 65: 6). Hiphil forms used to mean to be silent (2 K. 2: 3) or to quiet/appease (Neh. 8: 11).

חָשָׁה

verb • Root חוש • Page 255

II. i. q. חושׁ to be in haste. Ref: Job 31:5. Perhaps also Judg. 18:9.

Preposition, Verb Qal infinitive construct common

LXX: σιωπᾶτε σιωπῶμεν

LXX Usage Statistics

H2814:

σιωπᾶτε 3× (19.5%)

σιωπῶμεν 2× (13.0%)

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%)

לדבר לְדַבֵּר׃

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

דבר

dâbar

Definition

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H1696

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

דִּבֶּר

verb / piel stem • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 350

To speak, in the widest usage; to speak what is spoken. It has many nuances depending on the preposition used, such as to reveal, promise, command, threaten, declare, or speak against/on behalf of someone.

Matched via consonantal key only

דֶּ֫בֶר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 353

Snatching away, hence destruction, ruin, pestilence.

Matched via consonantal key only

דֶּ֫בֶר

m. / noun proper • Consonantal / Medium • Page 353

An unused word for pasture, hence the proper name לֹא דְּבַר or לוֹ דְּבַר (Lo-debar), a place name.

Matched via consonantal key only

דֶּבֶר

noun • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

Pestilence, plague. Derived from the figurative sense of דָּבַר II (to destroy).

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 350

To range, to put together in a row, to set in order, to bind together, especially words, i.e. to speak. (This form, Kal, appears only in the participle).

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

A verb root with multiple senses. I. to speak (expressed in derived conjugations). Pi'el (דִּבֶּר): to speak. Puhal (דֻּבַּר): to be promised, to be wooed. Hithpa'el (הִדַּבֵּר): to talk with one another.

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

A verb root with multiple senses. II. (Kal not used) to drive, to lead, to guide. Figuratively: to snatch away, destroy. Pi'el (דִּבֵּר): to snatch away, to destroy. Hif'il (הִדְבִּיר): to drive, lead, subjugate.

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

A verb root with multiple senses. III. (not used) to be behind, to follow, to pursue.

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

A verb root with multiple senses. IV. (not used) transposed from דבק, meaning to stick, to pierce.

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבָר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

A word, a saying, a speech, a matter, a thing. Derived from דָּבַר I (to speak).

Matched via consonantal key only

דָּבָר

noun • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 352

A word; speech, discourse, saying, oracle; command, precept, law, regulation; an inquiry, account, answer; utterance of God, revelation, oracle; decree, plan, proposal; report, news; a thing, matter, object of discourse; occurrence, action, history, affairs; relation, reference, way; cause, suit at law, ground.

Matched via consonantal key only

דֹּ֫בֶר

noun masculine • Root דבר , דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 353

1. pasture. 2. back, turning of the back, progress.

Matched via consonantal key only

דֹּבֶר

noun • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 351

Pasture. Derived from דָּבַר II (to lead, to guide).

Matched via consonantal key only

דְּבֵר

proper name • Consonantal / Medium • Page 353

A reference to the proper name דְּבִיר (Debir).

Matched via consonantal key only

דַּבָּר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Consonantal / Medium • Page 353

The speaker, i.e. the spirit of God which speaks out of the prophets.

Matched via consonantal key only

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

דָּבַר

verb • Page 154

To speak; used in various idioms: 3. to speak with one's self or meditate (Gen. 24:45). 4. to speak or promise good concerning any one (Num. 10:29). 5. to speak kindly with any one (2 K. 25:28). 6. to speak kindly or peaceably (Ps. 28:3). 7. to pass sentence against (2 K. 25:6). Sense 2: to destroy (2 Chr. 22:10), derived from 'to drive away'. Includes Niph. (to speak together, Mal. 3:16), Hiph. (to subdue, Ps. 18:48), and Hithpa. (2 Sam. 14:13).

דֶּבֶר

m. plur. דְּבָרִים • Root דבר • Page 155

Pestilence. (Ex. 9:3, Lev. 26:25, Deut. 28:21, Hos. 13:14). Ideas of death and pestilence are often expressed by the same word.

דֹּבֶר

noun masculine • Root דבר • Page 155

A fold, pasture. (Mic. 2:12, Is. 5:17). Comparable to Syriac and Arabic terms for a field.

דָּבַר

verb • Root דבר • Page 153

1. Probably as its primary signification, to lead, to drive. Hence the derivatives דָּבָר, דִּבְרָה, מִדְבָּר. 2. To put in order, to arrange, connect; and hence to connect words, to speak. In Kal found in the participle דֹּבֵר and the infinitive דַּבֵּר (Ps. 51:6). Much more common in Pi. דִּבֶּר (fut. יְדַבֵּר) meaning to speak, loquor (different from אָמַר to say). Covers various grammatical constructions including speaking to (preceded by אֶל, לְ, or עִם), speaking of (preceded by אֶת or עַל), and speaking against (preceded by בְּ or אֶל). Also used to mean 'to promise' (Deut. 19:8).

Preposition, Verb Piel infinitive construct common

LXX: ἐλάλησεν λάλησον ἐλάλησα λαλήσω εἶπεν

LXX Usage Statistics

H1696:

ἐλάλησεν 344× (29.7%)

λάλησον 62× (5.7%)

ἐλάλησα 51× (4.6%)

λαλήσω 44× (3.9%)

εἶπεν 44× (3.8%)

λαλῆσαι 42× (3.6%)

ἐλάλησασ 38× (3.4%)

ἐλάλησαν 38× (3.3%)

'' 27× (2.1%)

λαλῶν 26× (2.3%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak:

LITV Translation:
a time to tear, and a time to sew together; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to be silent, and a time to speak;