Ecclesiastes 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Ecc 11:1-10) Ecc 11:2 shows that charity is here inculcated. bread--bread corn. As in the Lord's prayer, all things needful for the body and soul. Solomon reverts to the sentiment (Ecc 9:10). waters--image from the custom of sowing seed by casting it from boats into the overflowing waters of the Nile, or in any marshy ground. When the waters receded, the grain in the alluvial soil sprang up (Isa 32:20). "Waters" express multitudes, so Ecc 11:2; Rev 17:15; also the seemingly hopeless character of the recipients of the charity; but it shall prove at last to have been not thrown away (Isa 49:4).
Open source ↗Cast thy bread upon the waters,.... As the wise man had often suggested that nothing was better for a man than to enjoy the good of his labour himself, he here advises to let others, the poor, have a share with him; and as he had directed in the preceding chapter how men should behave towards their superiors, he here instructs them what notice they should take of their inferiors; and as he had cautioned against luxury and intemperance, he here guards against tenacity and covetousness, and exhorts to beneficence and liberality: that which is to be given is "bread", which is put for all the necessaries of life, food and raiment; or money that answers all things, what may be a supply of wants, a support of persons in distress; what is useful, profitable, and beneficial; not stones or scorpions, or what will be useless or harmful: and it must be "thy" bread, a man's own; not independent of God who gives it him; but not another's, what he owes another, or has fraudulently obtained; but what he has got by his own labour, or he is through divine Providence in lawful possession of; hence alms in the Hebrew language is called "righteousness": and it must be such bread as is convenient and fit for a man himself, such as he himself and his family eat of, and this he must cast, it must be a man's own act, and a voluntary one; his bread must not be taken and forced from him; it must be given freely, and in such a manner as not to be expected again; and bountifully and plentifully, as a man casts seed into the earth; but here it is said to be "upon the waters"; bread is to be given to such as are in distress and affliction, that have waters of a full cup wrung out unto them, whose faces are watered with tears, and foul with weeping, from whom nothing is to be expected again, who can…
Open source ↗"Let thy bread go forth over the watery mirror: for in the course of many days shalt thou find it." Most interpreters, chiefly the Talm., Midrash, and Targ., (Note: The Midrash tells the following story: Rabbi Akiba sees a ship wrecked which carried in it one learned in the law. He finds him again actively engaged in Cappadocia. What whale, he asked him, has vomited thee out upon dry land? How hast thou merited this? The scribe learned in the law thereupon related that when he went on board the ship, he gave a loaf of bread to a poor man, who thanked him for it, saying: As thou hast saved my life, may thy life be saved. Thereupon Akiba thought of the proverb in Ecc 11:1. Similarly the Targ.: Extend to the poor the bread for thy support; they sail in ships over the water.) regard this as an exhortation to charity, which although practised without expectation of reward, does not yet remain unrewarded at last. An Aram. proverb of Ben Sira's (vid., Buxtorf's Florilegium, p. 171) proceeds on this interpretation: "Scatter thy bread on the water and on the dry land; in the end of the days thou findest it again." Knobel quotes a similar Arab. proverb from Diez' Denkwrdigkeiten von Asien (Souvenirs of Asia), II 106: "Do good; cast thy bread into the water: thou shalt be repaid some day." See also the proverb in Goethe's Westst. Divan, compared by Herzfeld. Voltaire, in his Prcis de l'Ecclsiaste en vers, also adopts this rendering: Repandez vos bien faits avec magnificence, Mme aux moins vertueux ne les refusez pas. Ne vous informez pas de leur reconnaissance - Il est grand, il est beau de faire des ingrats. That instead of "into the water (the sea)" of these or similar proverbs, Koheleth uses here the expression, "on the face of (על־פּני) the waters," makes no difference: Easter…
Open source ↗Solomon had often, in this book, pressed it upon rich people to take the comfort of their riches themselves; here he presses it upon them to do good to others with them and to abound in liberality to the poor, which will, another day, abound to their account. Observe, I. How the duty itself is recommended to us, Ecc 11:1. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters, thy bread-corn upon the low places (so some understand it), alluding to the husbandman, who goes forth, bearing precious seed, sparing bread-corn from his family for the seedness, knowing that without that he can have no harvest another year; thus the charitable man takes from his bread-corn for seed-corn, abridges himself to supply the poor, that he may sow beside all waters (Isa 32:20), because as he sows so he must reap, Gal 6:7. We read of the harvest of the river, Isa 23:3. Waters, in scripture, are put for multitudes (Rev 16:5), and there are multitudes of poor (we do not want objects of charity); waters are put also for mourners: the poor are men of sorrows. Thou must give bread, the necessary supports of life, not only give good words but good things, Isa 58:7. It must be thy bread, that which is honestly got; it is no charity, but injury, to give that which is none of our own to give; first do justly, and then love mercy. "Thy bread, which thou didst design for thyself, let the poor have a share with thee, as they had with Job, Job 31:17. Give freely to the poor, as that which is cast upon the waters. Send it a voyage, send it as a venture, as merchants that trade by sea. Trust it upon the waters; it shall not sink." 2. "Give a portion to seven and also to eight, that is, be free and liberal in works of charity." (1.) "Give much if thou hast much to give, not a pittance, but a portion, not a bit or two, but a…
Open source ↗11:1-6 All profitable activity involves risk. We must act as wisely as we can and trust God for the result. 11:1-2 We should invest rather than hoard our resources, even if we cannot control the results.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) גֶּשֶׁם (geshem, H1653) — a shower רוּק (rûwq, H7324) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… דָּרוֹם (dârôwm, H1864) — the south; poet. the south wind צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1933) — to be (in the sense of existence)
Open source ↗שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially…
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4392) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness;… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אַי (ʼay, H335) — where? hence how? כָּשֵׁר (kâshêr, H3787) — by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) מָתוֹק (mâthôwq, H4966) — sweet טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched…
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome בָּחוּר (bâchûwr, H970) — properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective) יַלְדוּת (yaldûwth, H3208) — boyhood (or girlhood) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2895) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בְּחֻרוֹת (bᵉchurôwth, H979) — youth (collectively and abstractly) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3708) — vexation לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… יַלְדוּת (yaldûwth, H3208) — boyhood (or girlhood) שַׁחֲרוּת (shachărûwth, H7839) — a dawning, i.e. (figuratively) juvenescence הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.
and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.