ABSTRACT
This chapter considers verses 2-8 by themselves, as a text on which Qoheleth made his comments. Most of Qoheleth's quotations are brief: they consist of single poetical couplets similar to those in the Book of Proverbs. Whether Ecclesiastes is an unified composition or a collection of shorter pieces – this is a matter of dispute – there are some passages which mark themselves out quite clearly. One of these is 3:1–15. Most scholars agree that these verses have a common theme which is distinct from those of the preceding and following passages. This theme is announced in verse 1: For everything there is a season and a proper time for every matter under heaven. This theme is then illustrated with examples, mainly of human activities presented in pairs, setting out contrasting or alternative possibilities, each of which has its own appropriate 'time'.
