Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 3:6
a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Teacher addresses humanity within a structured poetic enumeration of life’s cycles, positioning this line between the directives to embrace or refrain from embracing and to tear or mend.
The words — עֵת ('et) literally means "a time," while לְאַבֵּד (le./'a.Bed) means "to count as lost" or "to lose."
The thread — The motif of purposeful loss appears in Philippians 3:7 where gain is counted as loss for Christ, and in Luke 9:24 and Mark 8:35 where losing life to save it.
Why it lands — The text states that discernment requires recognizing when to pursue, when to relinquish, when to retain, and when to discard. It demands practical evaluation of circumstances rather than emotional attachment to outcomes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
- Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
- Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
- Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- 2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
- Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
- Mark 10:28 Peter began to say to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.”
- Hebrews 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.