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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

Context of Ecclesiastes 11:2

1Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. 3If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

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 8:10Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Esther 9:19That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.
• Psalms 112:9They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
• Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
• Job 5:19From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you.
• Proverbs 6:16There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
• Micah 5:5And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,
• Matthew 18:22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
• Luke 17:4Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
• Acts 11:28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
• Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
• Ephesians 5:16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were 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