King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 11:6 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 11:6 in the King James Version says “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, eit...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ecclesiastes 11:6 · KJV

Context

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. shall prosper: Heb. shall be right

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.

Read Ecclesiastes 11 full chapter

Commentary

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 whether shall prosper, either this or that (כִּי אֵינְךָ יוֹדֵעַ אֵי זֶה יִכְשָׁר). Human beings cannot predict which efforts will succeed—the verb kasher (כָּשַׁר, prosper/succeed) indicates favorable outcome. This verse teaches industrious stewardship under uncertainty.

The Preacher's counsel balances wisdom and faith: work diligently because outcomes are unpredictable, not because success is guaranteed. This anticipates Jesus's parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) where seed falls on various soils with different results. Paul echoes this: 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase' (1 Corinthians 3:6). Believers labor faithfully, trusting God's sovereignty over results. The verse forbids both presumptuous sloth (assuming effort is pointless) and anxious calculation (attempting to guarantee outcomes). Faithful stewardship sows generously despite uncertainty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made seed-sowing vivid imagery. Farmers sowed in both early rains (October-November, 'morning') and later rains (March-April, 'evening'), maximizing harvest potential despite uncertain weather. Crop failure from drought, locusts, or disease was common, making diversified planting prudent. Solomon's wisdom literature frequently used agricultural metaphors (Proverbs 11:18, 22:8). The post-exilic community, rebuilding after Babylonian captivity, faced agricultural and economic uncertainty—Haggai rebuked those who withheld effort (Haggai 1:6-11). This verse provided wisdom for uncertain times: keep working faithfully despite unpredictable outcomes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'seeds' (investments of time, energy, resources) are you hesitant to sow due to fear of failure or uncertain outcomes?
  2. How does trusting God's sovereignty over results free you to work diligently without anxiety about which efforts will 'prosper'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙1 of 21

“In the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

זְרַ֣ע2 of 21

“sow”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

אֶת3 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זַרְעֶ֔ךָ4 of 21

“thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְלָעֶ֖רֶב5 of 21

“and in the evening”

H6153

dusk

אַל6 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּנַּ֣ח7 of 21

“withhold”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

יָדֶ֑ךָ8 of 21

“not thine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כִּי֩9 of 21
H3588

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

אֵֽינְךָ֙10 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹדֵ֜ע11 of 21

“for thou knowest”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֵ֣י12 of 21

“not whether”

H335

where? hence how?

זֶ֤ה13 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִכְשָׁר֙14 of 21

“shall prosper”

H3787

by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper

הֲזֶ֣ה15 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אוֹ16 of 21
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

זֶ֔ה17 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאִם18 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם19 of 21

“either this or that or whether they both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

כְּאֶחָ֖ד20 of 21

“shall be alike”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

טוֹבִֽים׃21 of 21

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

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 11:6 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 11:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 9:10-11Isaiah 55:10Haggai 1:6-11Hosea 10:122 Corinthians 9:6Zechariah 8:11-12

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