Eclesiastés 9:12

12 Porque el hombre tampoco conoce su tiempo: como peces atrapados en la red traicionera, y como aves apresadas en la trampa, así son atrapados los hijos de los hombres en el tiempo malo cuando cae de repente sobre ellos.

Eclesiastés 9:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 9:12

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 ( 1 Thessalonians 5:2 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ) ( Luke 21:34 Luke 21:35 ) ( Luke 17:26 Luke 17:30 ) ; for pleasure, as Plato says, is the bait of evils, with which men are caught, as fishes with the hook ^F7.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 Apud Ciceronem de Senectute, c. 12. "Hic ubi saepe occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum", Horat. Epist. l. 1. Ep. 8. v. 73, 74.

Eclesiastés 9:12 In-Context

10 Todo lo que tu mano halle para hacer, hazlo según tus fuerzas; porque no hay actividad ni propósito ni conocimiento ni sabiduría en el Seol adonde vas.

11 Vi además que bajo el sol no es de los ligeros la carrera, ni de los valientes la batalla; y que tampoco de los sabios es el pan, ni de los entendidos las riquezas, ni de los hábiles el favor, sino que el tiempo y la suerte les llegan a todos.

12 Porque el hombre tampoco conoce su tiempo: como peces atrapados en la red traicionera, y como aves apresadas en la trampa, así son atrapados los hijos de los hombres en el tiempo malo cuando cae de repente sobre ellos.

13 También esto llegué a ver como sabiduría bajo el sol, y me impresionó:

14 Había una pequeña ciudad con pocos hombres en ella. Llegó un gran rey, la cercó y construyó contra ella grandes baluartes;