Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:5
5. cast away stones—as out of a garden or vineyard (Isaiah 5:2). gather—for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building (Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 2:20), and children of Abraham (Matthew 3:9); so the restored Jews hereafter (Psalms 102:13; Psalms 102:14; Zechariah 9:16). refrain . . . embracing— (Joel 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 7:6). read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:5
Ecclesiastes 3:5. A time to cast away stones— This is differently understood. Calmet says, it may either signify, "a time to cast away stones with a sling, and a time to collect them again into a bag:" or, "A time to cast stones on a field to render it barren, and a time to collect the stones out of a field to render it fertile." See 2 Kings 3:25. Or, "A time to cast away improper, and to collect proper stones for building." See Ecclesiastes 3:3. read more