Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 4 ▾
Providence 1, 6 Wisdom 1, 6 Judgment 9 Joy 9
Historic voices 6 ▾
An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 1× 2 Canons of Dort 1× 5 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-10 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1-7, 9-10 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 7 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 1× 2-10
Manuscript witnesses 4 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 129 ▾
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What is Ecclesiastes 11 about?

Moving toward the book's close, Solomon urges bold and generous action in the face of an unknown future: cast your bread upon the waters, give a portion to seven and to eight, and sow your seed morning and evening, since no one knows which will prosper. He calls the light sweet and bids the reader rejoice through all his years, yet remember the many days of darkness that come. To the young man he grants gladness of heart and the sight of his eyes, adding at once the sober word that for all these things God will bring him into judgment. The chapter joins wholehearted living to the fear of a coming account, turning the reader's joy toward the God who both gives it and will weigh it.

Historical backdrop

The Preacher speaks from the summit of Israel's wealth, the Jerusalem of Solomon near the close of his long reign. It was an age of great works: houses and vineyards, gardens and pools, silver and gold gathered from the nations, singers and every pleasure a king could command.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 11
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 11
The Church Fathers on Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes Chapter 11
11
1Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.
4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.
6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
8Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
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What is Ecclesiastes 11 about?

Moving toward the book's close, Solomon urges bold and generous action in the face of an unknown future: cast your bread upon the waters, give a portion to seven and to eight, and sow your seed morning and evening, since no one knows which will prosper. He calls the light sweet and bids the reader rejoice through all his years, yet remember the many days of darkness that come. To the young man he grants gladness of heart and the sight of his eyes, adding at once the sober word that for all these things God will bring him into judgment. The chapter joins wholehearted living to the fear of a coming account, turning the reader's joy toward the God who both gives it and will weigh it.