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The Bible · 670 of 1189

Ecclesiastes 11

1.Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3. If 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. 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.

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.

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.

Asked of Guide

Why does Ecclesiastes tell me to “cast thy bread upon the waters” and then advise sharing with seven or eight people?

The chapter urges risk and generosity because outcomes are uncertain: “thou shalt find it after many days” links patient giving to eventual return, and “give a portion to seven, and also to eight” spreads risk since you “knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” The text pairs practical counsel with theological humility about unpredictability—verse 5 says you “knowest not the works of God.”

The poet balances daring with prudence: sow “in the morning” and “in the evening withhold not thine hand,” which means keep working and keep sharing because you cannot predict which efforts will prosper. This resembles Proverbs’ practical maxims, where repeated action and wise distribution protect against chance and calamity.

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