Ecclesiasteschapter 11

1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Commentary on this chapter: read the Exposition

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Chapter summary

'Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

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'Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.' He that observeth the wind shall not sow: 'thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.' In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand. Light is sweet. 'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth… but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.'

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary and John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament.

Context

Poetry · Solomon — Ecclesiastes overview

A. 1–6 Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters; Sow in the Morning
B. 7–10 Rejoice, Young Man — but Know That God Will Bring Thee Into Judgment

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Ecclesiastes 122 verses
- Ecclesiastes 12:1Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
- Ecclesiastes 12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
- Read Ecclesiastes 12 →
Isaiah 551 verse
- Isaiah 55:10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
- Read Isaiah 55 →
Ecclesiastes 111 verse
- Ecclesiastes 11:6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
- Read Ecclesiastes 11 →
Proverbs 191 verse
- Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
- Read Proverbs 19 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Matthew 101 verse
- Matthew 10:42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
- Read Matthew 10 →
1 Timothy 61 verse
- 1 Timothy 6:18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
- Read 1 Timothy 6 →
Psalms 1121 verse
- Psalms 112:9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
- Read Psalms 112 →
Job 51 verse
- Job 5:19He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
- Read Job 5 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.