ecclesiastes-11:2-12:1-niv

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:2

2. portion—of thy bread. seven—the perfect number. eight—even to more than seven; that is, "to many" (so "waters," Ecclesiastes 11:1), nay, even to very many in need (Job 5:19; Micah 5:5). evil—The day may be near, when you will need the help of those whom you have bound to you by kindnesses (Luke 16:9). The very argument which covetous men use against liberality (namely, that bad times may come), the wise man uses for it. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

4. Wise behavior in view of the uncertain future 11:1-6"At last the Teacher is approaching the climax of his book. We cannot see God’s whole plan, and there is nothing in this world that we can build on so as to find satisfaction or the key to the meaning of things. Yet we are to fulfill God’s purpose by accepting our daily lot in life as from him and by thus pleasing him make each day a good day. But how can we please him when there is so much we cannot understand? The Teacher has already... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 11:2

This proverb advocates diversifying your investments, rather than putting all of your resources in one place."’Seven or eight’ is a Hebrew numerical formula called X, X + 1. It occurs frequently in Proverbs (chaps. 6, 30) and in the first two chapters of Amos. Here it is not to be taken literally but means ’plenty and more than plenty,’ ’the widest possible diversification within the guidelines of prudence. . . .’ Seven means ’plenty,’ and eight means, ’Go a bit beyond that.’" [Note: Hubbard,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Life After All is Worth Living1-3. Fulfil the duty of beneficence, knowing that results are in the hands of God.1. Cast thy bread, etc.] show kindness, even where a return is least to be expected. A blessing in some sort, although it may be long delayed, will result. There is perhaps a reference to the sowing of seed on irrigated land.2. Give a portion, etc.] be not niggardly or calculating in the bestowal of favours. You know not when you may need them yourself.3. The fixed laws by which the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 11:2

(2) To seven, and also to eight.—Quite similar forms of expression occur in Job 5:19; Proverbs 30:21; Amos 1:3; Micah 5:4. The numbers seven and eight are used indefinitely in the advice to multiply our modes of exertion, ignorant as we are which may miscarry. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Sowing and Reaping Ecclesiastes 11:1 By general consent the primary reference of the text is to the Egyptian custom of scattering seed upon the oozy soil formed by the overflowing of the Nile. To the thoughtful mind there is a remarkable resemblance between the laws of the physical and the moral harvest: I. The Natural Harvest. The golden grain once more gathered in reveals: a. The power of God. Think of the vast machinery that He employs to produce our daily bread. b. The wisdom of God. The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

But in a wise Use and a wise Enjoyment of the Present Life, Ecclesiastes 11:1-8What that Good is, and where it may be found, the Preacher now proceeds to show. But, as his manner is, he does not say in so many words, "This is the Chief Good of man," or "You will find it yonder;" but he places before us the man who is walking in the right path and drawing closer and closer to it. Even of him the Preacher does not give us any formal description; but, following what we have seen to be his... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Combined with a steadfast Faith in the Life to come. Ecclesiastes 10:9 - Ecclesiastes 12:7But, soft; is not our man of men becoming a mere man of pleasure? No; for he recognises the claims of duty and of charity. These keep his pleasures sweet and wholesome, prevent them from usurping the whole man, and landing him in the satiety and weariness of dissipation. But lest even these safeguards should prove insufficient, he has also this: he knows that "God will bring him into judgment"; that all... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

CHAPTER 11 1. Proverbs concerning man’s work(Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 ) 2. The vanity of life (Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 ) Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 . These continued proverbs concern the work of man and begin with exhortations to charity and are followed by the wise acknowledgement that no one knows the works of God, who is the maker of all. All this knowledge is within the compass of the natural man. Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 . After these philosophic proverbs he comes back to his former finding--vanity. So... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Bread Upon the Waters Ecclesiastes 11:0 The allusion in this verse has been considered to be to the Eastern method of sowing grain at the time of the overflowing of rivers. The husbandman is seen throwing his seed upon the waters in the hope that he will find it again in large harvests: the grain is not wasted; it is sown. In a certain sense, the man is engaged in a religious action, in so far as he loses his grain that he may find it, and he commits himself to the certain operation of laws... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 11:2

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 11:2

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Group of Brands