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. Give portions to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen upon the earth. 3If the clouds are full, they empty out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to south or north, the tree lies wherever it falls. 4Whoever keeps watching the wind will not sow and whoever gazes 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 8:10So he said to them, “Go! Eat choice food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have nothing ready. For today is kadosh to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of Adonai is your strength.”
• Esther 9:19That is why the rural Jews—those living in unwalled villages—make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a day of sending presents of food to one another.
• Psalms 112:9He gives freely to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn is lifted high in honor.
• Luke 6:30Give to every one who asks you; and whoever takes something of yours, make no demands upon him.
• 1 Timothy 6:18Direct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, sharing,
• Job 5:19From six calamities He will deliver you, even in seven, no harm will touch you.
• Proverbs 6:16Six things Adonai hates, yes, seven are abominations to Him:
• Micah 5:5They will devastate the land of Assyria with the sword— even Nimrod’s land with a drawn blade. He will deliver us from Assyria, when he invades our land, when he tramples on our territory.
• Matthew 18:22Yeshua said to him, “No, not up to seven times, I tell you, but seventy times seven!
• Luke 17:4Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
• Daniel 4:27the king exclaimed, “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
• Acts 11:28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted through the Ruach that there was going to be a great famine over all the world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius.)
• Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught doing something wrong, you who are directed by the Ruach, restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness—looking closely at yourself so you are not tempted also.
• Ephesians 5:16Make the most of your time because the days are evil.
• Hebrews 13:3Remember the prisoners as if you were fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you also were suffering bodily.

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