King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 11:10 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 11:10 in the King James Version says “Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. sorrow: or...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ecclesiastes 11:10 · KJV

Context

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. sorrow: or, anger

Read Ecclesiastes 11 full chapter

Commentary

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 flesh,' using avar (to pass over, remove). For childhood and youth are vanity (כִּי־הַיַּלְדוּת וְהַשַּׁחֲרוּת הָבֶל, ki-hayaldut vehashacharut havel)—'for childhood and the dawn-of-life are vapor,' using yaldut (childhood) and shacharut (youth, from shachar, dawn).

Following Ecclesiastes 11:9's exhortation to rejoice in youth while remembering coming judgment, verse 10 adds urgency: remove ka'as (internal turmoil—anger, worry, grief) and ra'ah (evil, harm) from basar (flesh—physical life). Why? Because yaldut and shacharut—childhood and youth, that precious 'dawn' of life—are havel (vapor, breath, fleeting). The message: youth passes quickly, so don't waste it on anxiety or evil. Paul counseled Timothy similarly: 'Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness' (2 Timothy 2:22). The Preacher isn't promoting recklessness but mindful enjoyment—remove what harms, embrace what edifies, because this season vanishes. James 4:14 echoes: 'What is your life? You are a mist that appears briefly.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient life expectancy was lower than today, making youth's brevity even more pronounced. Many didn't survive childhood; those who did faced adulthood's responsibilities quickly. The 'vapor' imagery reflected daily observation of morning mist burning off under sun.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'vexations' and 'evils' might you need to intentionally remove from your life to embrace youth (or whatever season you're in) well?
  2. How does recognizing youth's fleeting nature change priorities and daily choices?
  3. What does it look like to 'remember your Creator in the days of your youth' (12:1) by removing sorrow and evil now?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְהָסֵ֥ר1 of 10

“Therefore remove”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

כַּ֙עַס֙2 of 10

“sorrow”

H3708

vexation

מִלִּבֶּ֔ךָ3 of 10

“from thy heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וְהַעֲבֵ֥ר4 of 10

“and put away”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

רָעָ֖ה5 of 10

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִבְּשָׂרֶ֑ךָ6 of 10

“from thy flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

כִּֽי7 of 10
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַיַּלְד֥וּת8 of 10

“for childhood”

H3208

boyhood (or girlhood)

וְהַֽשַּׁחֲר֖וּת9 of 10

“and youth”

H7839

a dawning, i.e., (figuratively) juvenescence

הָֽבֶל׃10 of 10

“are vanity”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 11:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 11:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 7:12 Timothy 2:22Ecclesiastes 1:2Ecclesiastes 1:14Ecclesiastes 12:12 Peter 3:11-14

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