Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Solomon had often, in this book, pressed it upon rich people to take the comfort of their riches themselves; here he presses it upon them to do good to others with them and to abound in liberality to the poor, which will, another day, abound to their account. Observe, I. How the duty itself is recommended to us, Eccl. 11:1. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters, thy bread-corn upon the low places (so some understand it), alluding to the husbandman, who goes forth, bearing precious seed, sparing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Cast thy bread upon the waters ,.... As the wise man had often suggested that nothing was better for a man than to enjoy the good of his labour himself, he here advises to let others, the poor, have a share with him; and as he had directed in the preceding chapter how men should behave towards their superiors, he here instructs them what notice they should take of their inferiors; and as he had cautioned against luxury and intemperance, he here guards against tenacity and covetousness, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Cast thy bread upon the waters - An allusion to the sowing of rice; which was sown upon muddy ground, or ground covered with water, and trodden in by the feet of cattle: it thus took root, and grew, and was found after many days in a plentiful harvest. Give alms to the poor, and it will be as seed sown in good ground. God will cause thee afterwards to receive it with abundant increase. The Targum understands it of giving bread to poor sailors. The Vulgate and my old Bible have the same idea.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Cast thy bread upon the waters. The old interpretation of this passage, which found in it a reference to the practice in Egypt of sowing seed during the inundation of the Nile, is not admissible. The verb shalach is not used in the sense of sowing or scattering seed; it means "to cast or send forth." Two chief explanations have been given. "Was willst du untersuchen, Wohin die Milde fliesst! Ins Wasser wirf deine Kuchen; Wer weiss wet sie geniesst?" "Wouldst thou too narrowly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Section 16. Leaving alone unanswerable questions, man's duty and happiness are found in activity, especially in doing all the good in his power, for he knows not how soon he himself may stand in need of help. This is the first remedy for the perplexities of life . The wise man will not charge himself with results. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1

The verse means: “Show hospitality, even though the corresponding return of hospitality to you may seem improbable; nevertheless, be hospitable in faith.” Compare Luke 14:13-14; Hebrews 13:2. Some interpreters (not unreasonably) understand by “bread” the seed from the produce of which bread is made. Seed cast upon the fertile soil flooded by the early rains would be returned to the sower in autumn with large increase. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Ecclesiastes 11:1. Cast thy bread That is, thy seed, which is here called bread, as it is also Job 28:5, and Isaiah 28:28, because the produce of it makes bread, and the husbandman could ill spare it, wanting it, perhaps, for bread for himself and family; upon the waters That is, either by the rivers’ sides, or in moist and marshy ground, or even on the waters that cover it, where there might be little prospect of a crop. Solomon here probably alludes to the manner of planting rice in the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

11:1-12:14 HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFEBoldness in spite of uncertainty (11:1-8)It is typical of the writer that he encourages a positive attitude to life. True, life may be uncertain, but that is no reason to refuse to act positively. Regardless of what people decide to do, they must work at it boldly in spite of the risks, expecting results in due time. However, they should not put all their goods or money into one project. Then, if they meet misfortune in one place, the rest of the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 11:1

bread. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the seed from which it is produced. upon = upon the surface of. it = the profit or result of it. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 11:1

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