King James Version

Ecclesiastes 11

10 verses with commentary

Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters

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

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KJV Study Commentary

The Preacher offers enigmatic counsel: 'Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.' The Hebrew 'shalach' (שַׁלַּח, cast) means send forth or release. 'Bread upon the waters' likely refers to maritime trade—sending goods by ship—or charitable giving without expectation of immediate return. The promise 'thou shalt find it after many days' suggests that generous investmen...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**XI**. (1) In this section the preacher is drawing to a close, and he brings out practical lessons very different from those which views of life like his have suggested to others. From the uncertainty of the results of human effort, he infers that we ought the more diligently to make trial of varied forms of exertion, in order that this or that may succeed. From the instability of human happiness...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. (Compare Pr 15:6, 16, 17).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 11 **Verse 1** However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight—the Hebrew ten cheleq le-shiv'ah ve-gam li-shemonah (תֶּן־חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה) uses numerical parallelism (seven...eight) to indicate generosity that goes beyond typical expectations. This idiom appears in wisdom literature (Proverbs 6:16, 30:18) to mean "several" or "many." The counsel: diversify your investments ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **To seven, and also to eight.**—Quite similar forms of expression occur in Job 5:19; Proverbs 30:21; Amos 1:3; Micah 5:4. The numbers seven and eight are used indefinitely in the advice to multiply our modes of exertion, ignorant as we are which may miscarry.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. (Compare Pr 16:3). **directeth--**establisheth.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 2** Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth—the Hebrew im-yimalu he-avim geshem al-ha-aretz yariqu (אִם־יִמָּלְאוּ הֶעָבִים גֶּשֶׁם עַל־הָאָרֶץ יָרִיקוּ) describes natural inevitability. When conditions are right, rain falls—this is simply how nature works. And if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the t...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) The world is ruled by fixed laws, the operation of which man has no power to suspend.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 3** An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap—the Hebrew shomer ruach lo yizra ve-ro'eh ba-avim lo yiktzor (שֹׁמֵר רוּחַ לֹא יִזְרָע וְרֹאֶה בֶעָבִים לֹא יִקְצוֹר) warns against over-caution that leads to paralysis. Ancient farmers needed favorable conditions—calm winds for sowing seed, dry weather for harvest. But waiting for p...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) But it is idle to try to guard against all possibilities of failure. To demand a certainty of success before acting would mean not to act at all.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. are the Lord's ... his work--**that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 4** Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

The Preacher acknowledges human limitations: '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.' The verse employs two mysteries—wind/spirit ('ruach,' רוּחַ, meaning both wind and spirit) and fetal development—to illustrate comprehensive ignorance of God's works. Ancient peop...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) The wording of this passage leaves it ambiguous whether we have here two illustrations of man’s ignorance, or only one; whether we are to understand the verse as declaring that we know neither the way of the wind nor the growth of the embryo, or whether, retaining the translation “spirit,” we take the whole verse as relating to the latter subject. (Comp. John 3:6.) The word for “her that is wi...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 5-6** The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment.

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. shall prosper: Heb. shall be right

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KJV Study Commentary

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand—the Hebrew zera (זֶרַע, seed) functions both literally (agricultural seed) and metaphorically (works, investments, efforts). The command to sow both morning and evening creates a merism expressing continuous, diligent labor without hesitation. The rationale follows: for thou knowest not whethe...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Prosper.**—The word is used again in Ecclesiastes 10:10 and Esther 8:5, and belongs to modern Hebrew. (Comp. Galatians 6:7-8.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. A specification of the general sentiment of Pr 16:12.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 5-6** The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment.

Rejoice in Your Youth

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

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KJV Study Commentary

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun—the Hebrew matok (מָתוֹק, sweet) typically describes taste but here applies metaphorically to light, creating synesthetic imagery. The sun's light represents life itself, consciousness, and the goodness of existence. The phrase tov (טוֹב, pleasant/good) for the eyes echoes creatio...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 7** When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish.

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all—the conjunction 'but' (כִּי) introduces qualification to verse 7's celebration of life. The Hebrew samach (שָׂמַח, rejoice) commands active joy throughout life's duration. However, the verse immediately adds sobering perspective: yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. The 'd...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **Days of darkness.**—Psalm 88:12; Psalm 143:3; Job 10:21. (Comp. also Psalm 56:13; Job 33:30.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. light of ... countenance--**favor (Psa 4:6). **life--**preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable. **the latter rain--**fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (De 11:14).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 8** The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead.

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse balances youthful joy with eschatological accountability. The opening command—'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth'—uses the imperative 'simach' (שִׂמַח, rejoice), giving divine permission to enjoy youth's energy and opportunities. The parallel 'let thy heart cheer thee' (vitevakha libekha, וִיטִיבְךָ לִבֶּךָ) literally means 'let your heart make you good/glad.' The phrase 'walk in the w...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) The beginning of the last chapter would more conveniently have been placed here than where the division is actually made. It is hard to interpret the judgment spoken of in this verse of anything but future judgment, when we bear in mind how much of the book is taken up with the complaint that retribution does not take place in this life.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. (Compare Pr 3:16; 4:5).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 9** Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart (וְהָסֵר כַּעַס מִלִּבֶּךָ, vehaser ka'as milibbekha)—'and remove vexation from your heart,' from sur (to turn aside, remove) and ka'as (vexation, anger, grief). And put away evil from thy flesh (וְהַעֲבֵר רָעָה מִבְּשָׂרֶךָ, veha'aver ra'ah mibsarekha)—'and cause evil to pass from your fle...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **Sorrow.**—See Note on Ecclesiastes 7:3. **Youth.**—The word occurs not elsewhere in the Old Testament; but nearly the same word is used of black hair in Leviticus 13:37; Song of Solomon 5:11. **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. **Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. The highway--**A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil. **keepeth--**observes.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 10-11** Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down.

About Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 11

Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters

Rejoice in Your Youth

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