Ecclesiastes 9:12
"For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

For man also knoweth not his time,.... Though it is fixed and settled by the Lord, yet times and seasons are kept in his own power, and not known by men; not the time of his death, nor of any calamity and distress coming upon him, nor the proper season and opportunity of doing himself good, and avoiding evil;

as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; as fishes are suddenly taken in a net, unhappy for them, which is at once east over them, while they are sporting and playing in the water, and catching at the bait; and as birds, being decoyed, are unawares taken in a snare; that is, both of them know not the time of their being caught; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them; they are no more able to guard against a time of adversity and calamity, and the evil of it, which comes at once upon them, than the poor fishes or silly birds are to avoid the net and snare; and are, like them, at such a time, in the utmost security, indulging themselves in ease and pleasure: so the day of death, and of judgment, will come like a thief in the night; or like a snare upon men, when they think nothing of it, but are giving up themselves to their lusts and pleasures; see Th1 5:2 ; for pleasure, as Plato says, is the bait of evils, with which men are caught, as fishes with the hook (g). (g) Apud Ciceronem de Senectute, c. 12. "Hic ubi saepe occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum", Horat. Epist. l. 1. Ep. 8. v. 73, 74.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (23 words)

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H1571 גַּם
Definition:

6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ 6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ

Possible Meanings:
  • moreover (semantic_range)
  • yea (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H3045 יָדַע
Definition:

1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene 1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene

Possible Meanings:
  • know (semantic_range)
  • know (semantic_range)
  • cause to know (semantic_range)
  • inform (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H6256 עֵת
Definition:

13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons 13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons

Possible Meanings:
  • usual time (semantic_range)
  • proper (semantic_range)
  • suitable time (semantic_range)
H1709 דָּג
Definition:

1fish(Late Hebrewid.) —דָּגJonah 2:1(twice in verse);Jonah 2:11+Nehemiah 13:16Qr (Ktדָּאג);דָּגִים1 Kings 5:136t.;דְּגֵיGenesis 9:27t.; —fishof seaJonah 2:1(twice in verse);Jonah 2:11(inJonah 1:1גָּדו 1fish(Late Hebrewid.) —דָּגJonah 2:1(twice in verse);Jonah 2:11+Nehemiah 13:16Qr (Ktדָּאג);דָּגִים1 Kings 5:136t.;דְּגֵיGenesis 9:27t.; —fishof seaJonah 2:1(twice in verse);Jonah 2:11(inJonah 1:1גָּדו

H0270 אָחַז
Definition:

14+;אָֽחֲזָהJob 23:11;Isaiah 33:14; suffixאֲחָזַנִי2 Samuel 1:9; 1singular suffixאֲחַזְתִּיוSongs 3:4,etc.;ImperfectיאֹחֵזJob 17:9+;וַיּ֫אֹחֶז2 Samuel 6:6; 3feminine singularתּאֹחֵזDeuteronomy 32:41;ו 14+;אָֽחֲזָהJob 23:11;Isaiah 33:14; suffixאֲחָזַנִי2 Samuel 1:9; 1singular suffixאֲחַזְתִּיוSongs 3:4,etc.;ImperfectיאֹחֵזJob 17:9+;וַיּ֫אֹחֶז2 Samuel 6:6; 3feminine singularתּאֹחֵזDeuteronomy 32:41;ו

Possible Meanings:
  • he has grasped (semantic_range)
H4685 מָצוֹד
Definition:

Or (feminine) mtsowdah {mets-o-daw'}; or mtsodah {mets-o-daw'}; fromtsuwd; a net (for capturing animals or fishes) -- also (by interchange formtsad) a fastness or (beseiging) tower -- bulwark, hold, m Or (feminine) mtsowdah {mets-o-daw'}; or mtsodah {mets-o-daw'}; fromtsuwd; a net (for capturing animals or fishes) -- also (by interchange formtsad) a fastness or (beseiging) tower -- bulwark, hold, m

Possible Meanings:
  • hunting implement (semantic_range)
H7451 רַע
Definition:

Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm

Possible Meanings:
  • misery (semantic_range)
  • injury (semantic_range)
H6833 צִפּוֹר
Definition:

5(masculinePsalm 102:8, compare KöSynt § 252 a, soPsalm 104:17, yet compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896). 71),bird; — absoluteצִמּוֺרHosea 11:1115t.,צִמֹּרGenesis 15:1011t., constructצִמּוֺרDeuteronomy 4:175t., 5(masculinePsalm 102:8, compare KöSynt § 252 a, soPsalm 104:17, yet compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896). 71),bird; — absoluteצִמּוֺרHosea 11:1115t.,צִמֹּרGenesis 15:1011t., constructצִמּוֺרDeuteronomy 4:175t.,

Possible Meanings:
  • sparrow (semantic_range)
H0270 אָחַז
Definition:

14+;אָֽחֲזָהJob 23:11;Isaiah 33:14; suffixאֲחָזַנִי2 Samuel 1:9; 1singular suffixאֲחַזְתִּיוSongs 3:4,etc.;ImperfectיאֹחֵזJob 17:9+;וַיּ֫אֹחֶז2 Samuel 6:6; 3feminine singularתּאֹחֵזDeuteronomy 32:41;ו 14+;אָֽחֲזָהJob 23:11;Isaiah 33:14; suffixאֲחָזַנִי2 Samuel 1:9; 1singular suffixאֲחַזְתִּיוSongs 3:4,etc.;ImperfectיאֹחֵזJob 17:9+;וַיּ֫אֹחֶז2 Samuel 6:6; 3feminine singularתּאֹחֵזDeuteronomy 32:41;ו

Possible Meanings:
  • he has grasped (semantic_range)
H6341 פַח
Definition:

Frompachach; a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) -- gin, (thin) plate, snare.see HEBREWpachachBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מַּחnoun masculinePsalm 124:7bird-t Frompachach; a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) -- gin, (thin) plate, snare.see HEBREWpachachBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מַּחnoun masculinePsalm 124:7bird-t

H1992 הֵם
Definition:

Or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural fromhalak; they (only used when emphatic) -- it, like, X (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such, their, them, these, t Or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural fromhalak; they (only used when emphatic) -- it, like, X (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such, their, them, these, t

Possible Meanings:
  • of their moaning (semantic_range)
  • wailing (semantic_range)
  • wealth (semantic_range)
H3369 יָקשׁ
Definition:

24;יָָֽקְשׁוּPsalm 141:9;ParticiplepluralיוֺקְשִׁיםPsalm 124:7; —lay snares, figurative of devices of wickedPsalm 141:9(with accusative of congnate meaning with verb); of׳יs plan to destroy BabylonJer 24;יָָֽקְשׁוּPsalm 141:9;ParticiplepluralיוֺקְשִׁיםPsalm 124:7; —lay snares, figurative of devices of wickedPsalm 141:9(with accusative of congnate meaning with verb); of׳יs plan to destroy BabylonJer

Possible Meanings:
  • lay a bait (semantic_range)
  • lure (semantic_range)
  • bait-layers (semantic_range)
H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H6256 עֵת
Definition:

13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons 13and (seldom, mostly late)masculineEzra 10:14time(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianעת; Assyrianinu, ittu,time; Talmudעַנְתָּא; clearly from a √ענה, but doubtful whether I.׳ע); — absolute׳עHosea 10:12+, cons

Possible Meanings:
  • usual time (semantic_range)
  • proper (semantic_range)
  • suitable time (semantic_range)
H7451 רַע
Definition:

Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm

Possible Meanings:
  • misery (semantic_range)
  • injury (semantic_range)
H5307 נָפַל
Definition:

27+, 3 feminine singularנָָֽפְלָהGenesis 15:12+, etc.;Imperfectיִמֹּל1 Samuel 14:45+,וַיִּמֹּלJudges 4:16+; 1 singularאֶמֹּל1 Chronicles 21:13(needless change from 1 pluralנִמְּלָה""2 Samuel 24:14We D 27+, 3 feminine singularנָָֽפְלָהGenesis 15:12+, etc.;Imperfectיִמֹּל1 Samuel 14:45+,וַיִּמֹּלJudges 4:16+; 1 singularאֶמֹּל1 Chronicles 21:13(needless change from 1 pluralנִמְּלָה""2 Samuel 24:14We D

Possible Meanings:
  • fall (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H6597 פִתְאוֹם
Definition:

8(see Baer)מִּתְאוֺםsubstantivesuddenness, usually asadverb accusativesuddenly(fromמֶּתַע, with the term.ם- (compareשִׁלְשֹׁם), and withעweakened toא: Sta§ 295Köii. 255 f.BaNB § 216 b); —Numbers 12:4א 8(see Baer)מִּתְאוֺםsubstantivesuddenness, usually asadverb accusativesuddenly(fromמֶּתַע, with the term.ם- (compareשִׁלְשֹׁם), and withעweakened toא: Sta§ 295Köii. 255 f.BaNB § 216 b); —Numbers 12:4א

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