Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:2

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight ,.... Or, a "part" F17 חלק "partem", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, &c.; ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:3

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth ,.... They do not retain it; sad would it be for the earth if they did; but they let it down softly and gently, in plentiful showers upon each of the parts of the earth without distinction, by which it is refreshed, and made fruitful; nor are they losers by it, for they draw up great quantities again out of the ocean, and so constantly answer the ends for which they are appointed. And so rich men, who are full of the good... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow ,.... Who before he sows his seed is careful to observe where the wind is, from what corner it blows, and forbears sowing until it is down or changes, lest it should be troublesome unto him in sowing, or blow away his seed, and waits for a better season; such a man may lose his seedtime and never sow at all, and his grain in his barn may be devoured by vermin, or be destroyed by one accident or another, and so he may lose both his seed and his crop; ... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:3

If the clouds be full of rain - Act as the clouds; when they are full they pour out their water indifferently on the field and on the desert. By giving charity indiscriminately, it may be that thou wilt often give it to the unworthy: but thou shouldst ever consider that he is an object of thy charity, who appears to be in real want; and better relieve or give to a hundred worthless persons, than pass by one who is in real distress. Where the tree falleth, there it shall be - Death is at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow! - The man that is too scrupulous is never likely to succeed in any thing. If a man neither plough nor sow till the weather is entirely to his mind, the season will in all probability pass before he will have done any thing: so, if thou be too nice in endeavoring to find out who are the impostors among those who profess to be in want, the real object may perish, whom otherwise thou mightest have relieved, and whose life might have been thereby saved.... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:1

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