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, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 4One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest.

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
• to sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• or evenגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• to eightשְׁמֹנֶהshemôneh shemôneh shemônâh shemônâh · eightH8083
• for you do not knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• whatמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• may occurהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• on the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 11:2

• Nehemiah 8:10Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your refuge.”
• Esther 9:19Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending 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, and 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 and ready to share,
• Job 5:19In six troubles He will save you; Even in seven, evil will not touch you.
• Proverbs 6:16There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him:
• Micah 5:5This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of people.
• Matthew 18:22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.
• Luke 17:4And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: wipe away your sin by doing righteousness, and your wrongdoings by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.’
• Acts 11:28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
• Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
• Ephesians 5:16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

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