Ecclesiastes 3:2 bbe — A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
Bible in Basic English
"A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;"
— Ecclesiastes 3:2, Bible in Basic English
Read in Another Translation
5 of 21 translations
Ecclesiastes 3 — Context
1
For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
2
A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
3
A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
4
A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;
5
A time to take stones away and a time to get stones together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing;
Ecclesiastes 3:2 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 3:2 say?
Ecclesiastes 3:2 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;”
Where is Ecclesiastes 3:2 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 3:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 2.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 3:2.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 3:2 in?
Ecclesiastes 3:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 3:2?
Ecclesiastes 3:2 reads (BBE): “A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.