Charles Ellicott Commentary Ecclesiastes 3:15

"That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away." — Ecclesiastes 3:15 (ASV)

Is now. —Rather, was long ago.

Requires. — Seeks again: i.e., recalls the past. The writer has not been speaking of the bringing the past into judgment, but of the immutable order of the universe, which constantly repeats itself. But it would seem that the word suggesting the thought of seeking for the purpose of judgment leads on to the next topic.