King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 3:7 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 3:7 in the King James Version says “A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”

Ecclesiastes 3:7 · KJV

Context

5

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; to refrain from: Heb. to be far from

6

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

7

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

Read Ecclesiastes 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents two sets of opposites related to communication and response. 'A time to rend, and a time to sew' refers to the ancient practice of tearing garments in grief, anguish, or repentance (Genesis 37:34; Joel 2:13), followed by later mending. The Hebrew 'qara' (קָרַע, rend/tear) signified deep emotional/spiritual crisis, while 'taphar' (תָּפַר, sew) indicated restoration and healing. The second pair—'a time to keep silence, and a time to speak'—addresses verbal wisdom. The Hebrew 'chasah' (חָשָׁה, keep silence) means purposeful, disciplined quiet, while 'dabar' (דָבַר, speak) indicates articulated expression. Proverbs extensively praises guarded speech (10:19, 17:28), yet Scripture also condemns cowardly silence when truth requires voice (Esther 4:14). The verse teaches that wisdom requires discernment about both emotional expression and verbal communication—knowing when symbolic actions or words serve God's purposes and when restraint does.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Garment-tearing was a powerful cultural symbol throughout Israelite history. Jacob rent his clothes when believing Joseph dead (Genesis 37:34); Job did so in grief (Job 1:20); Mordecai tore his garments at Haman's plot (Esther 4:1); the high priest rent his garments at Jesus's 'blasphemy' (Matthew 26:65). Sewing the torn garment symbolized recovery from crisis. Ancient Near Eastern culture valued both eloquent speech (especially in royal courts) and disciplined silence. The prophets had to discern when to speak uncomfortable truth versus when to remain silent before hardened hearts (Amos 5:13). Jesus modeled this wisdom: speaking boldly to religious leaders yet remaining silent before Herod (Luke 23:9). James later counseled believers to be 'swift to hear, slow to speak' (James 1:19), reflecting Ecclesiastes' wisdom about measured words.

Reflection Questions

  1. What situations in your current season call for silence rather than hasty speech, and which require you to speak up despite fear or discomfort?
  2. How does this verse inform when to express grief openly (rending) versus when to move toward healing (sewing)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְעֵ֥ת1 of 8

“A time”

H6256

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

לִקְר֙וֹעַ֙2 of 8

“to rend”

H7167

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

וְעֵ֥ת3 of 8

“A time”

H6256

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

לִתְפּ֔וֹר4 of 8

“to sew”

H8609

to sew

וְעֵ֥ת5 of 8

“A time”

H6256

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

לַחֲשׁ֖וֹת6 of 8

“to keep silence”

H2814

to hush or keep quiet

וְעֵ֥ת7 of 8

“A time”

H6256

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

לְדַבֵּֽר׃8 of 8

“to speak”

H1696

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 3:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 7:5Amos 5:13Esther 4:13-14Lamentations 3:28Acts 4:20Proverbs 31:8-9

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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