Ecclesiastes 11

King James Version

Full text for Ecclesiastes Chapter 11

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

2Give a portion to seven, and also to 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 the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall 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 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.

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.

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

8But 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.

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 thine 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 childhood and youth [are] vanity.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ecclesiastes 11 encourages diligent action and generous giving despite life's uncertainties, for one cannot know what the future holds. It advises enjoying the present light and youth, yet with the sober understanding that days of darkness will come and God will bring all into judgment. Therefore, one should remove sorrow and evil, recognizing the fleeting nature of childhood and youth.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with an exhortation to cast bread upon the waters and give portions generously, for one cannot know what evil may befall the earth. It warns against hesitation born of over-observing conditions, stating that such a person will neither sow nor reap. Humanity's limited understanding of God's works is emphasized, urging continuous effort both in the morning and evening, as the outcome of one's labors is unknown. While acknowledging the sweetness of light and the pleasure of beholding the sun, the Preacher reminds that many days of darkness await, and all that comes is ultimately vanity. Young people are encouraged to rejoice in their youth and follow their desires, but with the crucial caveat that God will bring them into judgment for all these things. Thus, sorrow and evil should be put away, for childhood and youth are also vanity.

Long Summary

Ecclesiastes 11 commences with a call to generous and far-sighted action, symbolized by casting bread upon the waters, with the promise of finding it after many days. This principle extends to distributing portions to many, recognizing the inherent unpredictability of future adversities. The Preacher illustrates the certainty of natural phenomena, such as clouds emptying rain or a fallen tree remaining where it lies, contrasting this with human hesitation. He cautions against inaction driven by excessive observation of circumstances, stating that one who watches the wind will not sow, and one who regards the clouds will not reap. A profound statement on human limitation follows, asserting that just as one does not understand the spirit's way or fetal development, so too one cannot comprehend the works of God. This lack of understanding necessitates diligent and persistent effort, urging one to sow seed both in the morning and evening, as the prosperity of either, or both, is unknown. The chapter then shifts to a reflection on life's pleasures, affirming that light is sweet and beholding the sun is pleasant. However, this joy is tempered by the remembrance of future days of darkness, which will be many, reinforcing the theme that all that comes is vanity. Young people are specifically addressed, encouraged to rejoice in their youth, to let their hearts cheer them, and to walk in the ways of their heart and the sight of their eyes. Yet, this encouragement comes with a crucial caveat: they must know that God will bring them into judgment for all these things. Therefore, the Preacher advises removing sorrow from the heart and putting away evil from the flesh, concluding that childhood and youth are ultimately vanity. The chapter thus balances the call to active living and enjoyment with the sober reality of life's uncertainties, brevity, and ultimate accountability before God.

Core Concepts

  • Generous InvestmentThe act of giving or investing without immediate expectation of return, likened to 'casting thy bread upon the waters,' with the promise of future recompense after many days.
  • Uncertainty of LifeThe inherent unpredictability of future events and potential evils, which should not deter diligent action but rather encourage broad investment and preparedness.
  • Human Ignorance of God's WorksAn acknowledgment that humanity cannot fully comprehend the intricate workings of God, just as one cannot understand the way of the spirit or the growth of a child in the womb.
  • Diligent Action Despite UncertaintyThe imperative to work consistently and persistently, 'sowing thy seed in the morning, and in the evening withhold not thine hand,' without knowing which efforts will prosper.
  • Enjoyment of Life's PleasuresThe recognition that 'the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun,' encouraging the appreciation of present joys and youth.
  • Remembrance of JudgmentA solemn warning that despite enjoying youth and following one's desires, God will hold individuals accountable for their actions, bringing them into judgment.
  • Vanity of Youth and ChildhoodThe ultimate conclusion that even the fleeting joys and stages of youth and childhood are temporary and subject to the overarching theme of vanity, urging a removal of sorrow and evil.