Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 11

Verse 1

11:1 Cast thy bread upon the {a} waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

(a) That is, be liberal to the poor, and though it seems to be as a thing ventured on the sea, yet it will bring you profit.

Verse 3

11:3 If the {b} clouds are full of rain, they empty [themselves] upon the earth: and if the {c} tree falleth toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

(b) As the clouds that are full pour out rain, so the rich that have abundance must distribute it liberally.

(c) He exhorts to be liberal while we live: for after, there is no power.

Verse 4

11:4 He that observeth the {d} wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

(d) He who fears inconveniences when need requires will never do his duty.

Verse 6

11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening {e} withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or {f} that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good.

(e) Be not weary of well doing.

(f) That is, which of your works are most agreeable to God.

Verse 8

11:8 But if a man shall live many years, [and] rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of {g} darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh [is] vanity.

(g) That is, of affliction and trouble.

Verse 9

11:9 {h} Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.

(h) He derides them who set their desire in worldly pleasures as though God would not call count.

Verse 10

11:10 Therefore remove {i} sorrow from thy heart, and {k} put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth [are] vanity.

(i) That is, anger and envy.

(k) Meaning, carnal lusts to which youth is given.