A time to cast away stones: the expression here is unusual, for it is the only one in the list that adds a noun object to the verbal form. Whether there is any significance in this fact is difficult to determine.

The major concern, however, is to know what the phrase means. Is this a literal reference to gathering and throwing away stones? Is a field being cleared of stones in preparation for cultivation? It is difficult to say, since the particular context is unclear. Moffatt avoids the problem by omitting the reference to stones, and so gives a translation “scattering and gathering.” This solution may not be satisfactory either, especially in those languages that require the mention of an object.

There is another possibility, however, that cannot be overlooked. That is that we have here a Hebrew euphemism or idiom for sexual union. Jewish tradition in the Midrash gives this as its meaning, and so we can understand why Good News Translation has given us “a time for making love.” This line may also be parallel with the following one, “a time to embrace.” Whether translators follow the Jewish or Good News Translation interpretations, or adopt the literal one, it will be helpful to readers to have a footnote explaining the idiom. This is especially important in cases where an older and literal translation is familiar or may be used alongside the new version. If the Good News Translation sense is accepted, the translator will need to give careful thought to the expression “making love,” for each culture will have its own acceptable way of talking publicly about such subjects. A euphemism will almost certainly be required.

A time to gather stones together is the opposite of the first part of the clause, and its translation will depend on how we render that part of the verse; either we give its literal meaning or its figurative sense. If we retain the literal meaning, then it can refer to the gathering of stones for building, such as walls around a field. If we understand it to be a figurative expression, then the same comments apply as to the previous phrase, namely, finding an acceptable manner of speaking about “refraining from making love.”

For translation: “A time for making love, and a time not to make love” as in Good News Translation, or “a time for clearing away stones, and a time for gathering them.”

A time to embrace: the verb “embrace” regularly is used to describe two people greeting one another. It can also be used as a euphemism for sexual union as in Songs 2.6 and Pro 5.20. In a generalized saying such as we have here, we must allow for both possible meanings in our translation if at all possible. If the translator’s language requires an object for these verbs, then we should remember to use a very general one such as “people.” This avoids the problem of being too precise and losing the thrust of the poetic generalization.

A time to refrain from embracing renders what Hebrew expresses as “a time to be far from embracing.” Some have suggested making a change in the Hebrew to “keep the embracer far away,” but there are no valid reasons for this change. It appears to mean here that there is a time to avoid embracing. Again it is futile to speculate why this is so. The point is rather that, given certain circumstances or times, it is wise and good to avoid “embracing.”

As was the case in verse 3, here also we may need to think of an alternative to repeating the phrase “from embracing.” We can use a substitute expression like “There is a time for embracing and a time for not doing so.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .