Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also knoweth not his time, like the fishes that are caught in an evil net, and like the birds that are caught in the snare: like these are the sons of men ensnared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
In Context
13Also in this manner have I seen wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
Cross References
Psalms 11:6He letteth rain upon the wicked burning coals, fire and brimstone; and a glowing wind is the portion of their cup.
Psalms 73:19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they perish, they come to their end with terrific events.
Proverbs 7:22He followed after her suddenly, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, and as in fetters to his correction, the fool:
Proverbs 29:6In the transgression of a man there is an evil snare: but the righteous ever singeth and rejoiceth.
Ecclesiastes 8:8No man hath control over the spirit to detain the spirit; and there is no control over the day of death; and there is no representation in that war; and wickedness will not deliver those that practise it.
Isaiah 30:13Therefore shall this iniquity be to you as a threatening breach, swelling out in a high-towering wall, the fall of which will come unawares, suddenly.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:12-13
The Disappointment of Hopes. 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 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. The preacher here, for a… Read the whole commentary →