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 upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land. 3If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 word by word

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

• Divideנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• your portionחֵ֫לֶקchêleq · portionH2506
• among sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• or evenגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• eightשְׁמֹנֶהshemôneh shemôneh shemônâh shemônâh · eightH8083
• forכִּיkîy · forH3588
• you do notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• whatמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• disasterרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: harmH7451
• may befallהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• may befallעַל‛al · uponH5921
• the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 11:2

• Nehemiah 8:10Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
• Esther 9:19This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another.
• Psalms 112:9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
• Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
• Job 5:19He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
• Proverbs 6:16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
• Micah 5:5And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels. We will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
• Matthew 18:22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
• Luke 17:4Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
• Acts 11:28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)
• Galatians 6:1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
• Ephesians 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.

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