קהלת 11:2

Hebrew Modern Translation

תן חלק לשבעה וגם לשמונה כי לא תדע מה יהיה רעה על הארץ׃

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Aleppo Codex
תן חלק לשבעה וגם לשמונה כי לא תדע מה יהיה רעה על הארץ

Biblia Hebrica Stuttgartensia (1967/77)
תֶּן־חֵ֥לֶק לְשִׁבְעָ֖ה וְגַ֣ם לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֚י לֹ֣א תֵדַ֔ע מַה־יִּהְיֶ֥ה רָעָ֖ה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ ׃

Westminster Leningrad Codex
תֶּן־חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה כִּי לֹא תֵדַע מַה־יִּהְיֶה רָעָה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ ׃

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a portion: Nehemiah 8:10, Esther 9:19, Esther 9:22, Psalms 112:9, Luke 6:30-35, 1 Timothy 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:19

seven: Job 5:19, Proverbs 6:16, Micah 5:5, Matthew 18:22, Luke 17:4

for: Daniel 4:27, Acts 11:28-30, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 5:16, Hebrews 13:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 19:25 - General 1 Samuel 25:8 - a good day 1 Samuel 25:11 - give it 2 Samuel 17:29 - The people Psalms 41:1 - Blessed Proverbs 3:10 - General Proverbs 11:24 - that scattereth Proverbs 13:7 - that maketh himself poor Proverbs 14:21 - he that hath Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Proverbs 31:20 - she reacheth Isaiah 58:7 - to deal Ezekiel 18:16 - but hath Amos 1:3 - For Zechariah 8:23 - ten men Matthew 5:42 - General Matthew 6:2 - when Matthew 14:16 - they Matthew 25:35 - I was an Luke 6:38 - and it Luke 11:41 - rather Luke 12:17 - shall Acts 2:45 - parted Acts 11:29 - to send Romans 12:8 - giveth 1 Corinthians 7:31 - use

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight,.... Or, a "part" q; not the whole of a man's substance, for he must have to support himself and his family; he that does not take care of that is worse than an infidel; a man may bestow all his goods on the poor, and not have charity; though no doubt there was true charity, or love, in the poor widow that threw in all her substance into the treasury, which was an extraordinary case, 1 Timothy 5:8; but a man is to give of such things that he has, ordinarily, and not all that he has, Luke 11:41; he is to give according to his ability, and what he can spare from the service of himself and family; and this is to be distributed, and given in parts to the poor, according to their necessities; not all to one, but something to everyone, "to seven, and also to eight": if seven persons apply, give them everyone a part; and, if an eighth person comes, send him not away empty; give to every one that asketh, Luke 6:30; compare with this phrase Micah 5:5; Some think this respects time, so Aben Ezra; that a man should give constantly and continually, should be daily giving, all the seven days of the week, and when the eighth day comes, or the week begins again, go on in the same course. The Targum is,

"put a good part of seed in thy field in Tisri (the seventh month), and do not cease from sowing even in Casleu,''

the eighth month;

for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth; what calamities shall come upon it, which may sweep away all a man's substance; it may be destroyed by fire, or washed away by a deluge of water, or plundered by an enemy; or, however, the day of death may quickly come, as it certainly shall, and then it will be no longer in a man's power to do good with what he has. Moreover, the arguments which covetous men use against liberality, the wise man uses for it; they argue that bad times may come, and they may sustain great losses; or have a greater charge upon them, a growing family; or they may live to old age, and want it themselves: be it no, these are reasons why they should give liberally while they can; that when these things they fear shall come upon them, they may be relieved and supplied by others; for those that show mercy shall find mercy; and this is the way to make themselves friends in a time of need, and against it; see Luke 16:9.

q חלק "partem", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, &c.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The 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).

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ecclesiastes 11:2. Give 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.