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 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

1Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. 3If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. 4He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards 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 8:10Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Esther 9:19Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.
• Psalms 112:9He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor.
• Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
• Job 5:19He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.
• Proverbs 6:16These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
• Micah 5:5And this One shall be peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land, And when he treads in our palaces, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight princely men.
• Matthew 18:22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
• Luke 17:4And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
• Daniel 4:27Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
• Acts 11:28Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
• Galatians 6:1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
• Ephesians 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

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