Ecclesiastes 3:7

“A time to rend, and a time to sew, etc.] To rend garments, in case of blasphemy, and in times of mourning and fasting, and then to sew them up when they are over; (see <233701>Isaiah 37:1 <290213>Joel 2:13); This the Jews apply to the rending of the ten tribes from Rehoboam, signified by the rending of Jeroboam’s garment, (<111130>1 Kings 11:30,31); the sewing up or uniting of which is foretold, (<263722>Ezekiel 37:22). Some interpret it of the rending of the Jewish church state, signified by the rending of the vail, at the death of Christ; and of the constituting the Gospel church state among the Gentiles; a time to keep silence, and a time to speakf84; when it is an evil time, a time of…”

“rend--garments, in mourning (Joe 2:13); figuratively, nations, as Israel from Judah, already foretold, in Solomon's time (Kg1 11:30-31), to be "sewed" together hereafter (Eze 37:15, Eze 37:22). silence-- (Amo 5:13), in a national calamity, or that of a friend (Job 2:13); also not to murmur under God's visitation (Lev 10:3; Psa 39:1-2, Psa 39:9).”

“Rend - i. e., Tear garments in sign of mourning or anger. See 2 Samuel 1:2, 2 Samuel 1:11 ff. return to 'Top of Page'”

“To rent - When men rend their garments, as they did in great and sudden griefs. Ecclesiastes 3:8”

“time to rend: Gen 37:29, Gen 37:34; Sa2 1:11, Sa2 3:31; Kg1 21:27; Kg2 5:7, Kg2 6:30; Jer 36:24; Joe 2:13; Act 9:39 time to keep: Job 2:13; Psa 39:2; Isa 36:21; Jer 8:14; Lam 3:28; Amo 5:13, Amo 8:3; Mic 7:5 and a time to speak: Gen 44:18, Gen 44:34; Sa1 19:4, Sa1 19:5, 25:24-44; Est 4:13, Est 4:14, Est 7:4; Job 32:4-37:24; Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12, Pro 31:8, Pro 31:9; Luk 19:37-40; Act 4:20 Ecclesiastes 3:8”

“7a. "To rend has its time, and to sew has its time." When evil tidings come, when the tidings of death come, then is the time for rending the garments ( Sa2 13:31), whether as a spontaneous outbreak of sorrow, or merely as a traditionary custom. - The tempest of the affections, however, passes by, and that which was torn is again sewed together. Perhaps it is the recollection of great calamities which leads to the following contrasts: - 7b. "To keep silence has its time, and to speak has its time." Severe strokes of adversity turn the mind in quietness back upon itself; and the demeanour most befitting such adversity is silent resignation (cf. Kg2 2:3, Kg2 2:5). This mediation of the thought…”