Ecclesiastes 3:5 Meaning and Explanation
“A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even closeness and distance have their seasons; there is a time to draw near and a time to hold back.
What Does Ecclesiastes 3:5 Mean?
The poem moves to the rhythms of labor and relationship. Clearing a field of stones and gathering them for a wall were the everyday tasks of an agricultural people, while embracing and refraining speak to the give and take of human closeness.
Love is not measured only by nearness. There is wisdom in knowing when to hold and when to give space, when to gather and when to scatter. Discernment, not constant intensity, marks a life lived well. The Preacher gently teaches that restraint can be as loving as embrace, and that knowing the difference is part of walking wisely with others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 3:5
What does Ecclesiastes 3:5 mean?
Even closeness and distance have their seasons; there is a time to draw near and a time to hold back.