Ecclesiastes 11:2

Ecclesiastes 11:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
• New International Version (NIV)Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Context of Ecclesiastes 11:2

1Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions], for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even [divide it] to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3If the clouds are full [of rain], they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it lies. 4He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest].

Ecclesiastes 11:2 word by word

תֶּן־חֵ֥לֶק לְשִׁבְעָ֖ה וְגַ֣ם לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֚י לֹ֣א תֵדַ֔ע מַה־יִּהְיֶ֥ה רָעָ֖ה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Giveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• a portionחֵ֫לֶקchêleq · portionH2506
• to sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• and also to eightשְׁמֹנֶהshemôneh shemôneh shemônâh shemônâh · eightH8083
• for thou knowestיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• not what evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: harmH7451
• shall be upon the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 11:2

• Nehemiah 8:10Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.”
• Esther 9:19Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural [unwalled] towns, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending choice portions of food to one another.
• Psalms 112:9He has given freely to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor.
• Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks of you. Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others].
• Job 5:19He will rescue you from six troubles; Even in seven, evil will not touch you.
• Proverbs 6:16These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
• Micah 5:5This One [the Messiah] shall be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land And tramples on our citadels and in our palaces, Then shall we raise against him Seven shepherds and eight princes [an overpowering force] among men.
• Matthew 18:22Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.
• Luke 17:4Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, let my advice to you be [considered and found] acceptable; break away now from your sins and exhibit your repentance by doing what is right, and from your wickedness by showing mercy to the poor, so that [if you repent] there may possibly be a continuance of your prosperity and tranquility and a healing of your error.’
• Acts 11:28One of them named Agabus stood up and prophesied through the [Holy] Spirit that a severe famine would come on the entire world. And this did happen during the reign of Claudius.
• Galatians 6:1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
• Ephesians 5:16making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Remember those who are in prison, as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body [and subject to physical suffering].

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 11:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Give a portion to seven - Never cease giving while thou seest a person in distress, and hast wherewithal to relieve him. Thou knowest not what evil - Such may be the change of times, that thou mayest yet stand in need of similar help thyself. Do as thou wouldst be done by.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The verse means: “Let your hospitality and your alms be extensive: for you know not what reverses may befall either that person who by your liberality will be strengthened to meet them, or yourself who may come to need grateful friends.” Compare Luke 16:9. Seven, and also to eight - A definite number for an indefinite (compare marginal reference).Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2We should invest our resources instead of hoarding them, even if we cannot control the outcomes.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. portion--of thy bread. seven--the perfect number. eight--even to more than seven; that is, "to many" (so "waters," Ec 11:1), nay, even to very many in need (Job 5:19; Mi 5:5). evil--The day may be near, when you will need the help of those whom you have bound to you by kindnesses (Lu 16:9). The very argument which covetous men use against liberality (namely, that bad times may come), the wise man uses for it.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 11:2

• Liberality
• Seven

In the dictionaries

• Childhood
• Empty
• Regard
• Remove
• Number

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings