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.
People don't know when their time will come: like fish caught in a cruel net, and like birds trapped in a snare, people are caught off guard when trouble suddenly falls on them.
The writer is saying that people can't predict when disaster or death will strike—it comes unexpectedly, just like animals getting trapped.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, written around 935-925 BC. The book reflects on the unpredictable nature of life and was written during a time when Israel was experiencing both prosperity and uncertainty. The imagery of nets and snares would have been familiar to ancient readers who relied on fishing and bird-catching for food.
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