Ecclesiastes 11:4

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 11:4

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 11:4

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 11:1-6

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the wind shall not sow . The fact of the uncertainty and immutability of the future ought not to make us supine or to crush out all diligence and activity. He who wants to anticipate results, to foresee and provide against all contingencies, to be his own providence, is like a farmer who is always looking to wind and weather, and misses the time for sowing in this needless caution. The quarter from which the wind blows regulates the downfall of rain (comp. Proverbs 25:23 ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:3-6

“Unforeseen events come from God; and the man who is always gazing on the uncertain future will neither begin nor complete any useful work: but do thou bear in mind that times and circumstances, the powers of nature and the results to which they minister, are in the hand of God; and be both diligent and trustful.” The images are connected chiefly with the occupation of an agricultural laborer: the discharge of rain from the cloud, and the inclination of the falling tree, and the direction of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 11:4

Ecclesiastes 11:4. He that observeth the wind, shall not sow, &c. He who neglects the necessary works of sowing and reaping, because the weather is not exactly suitable to his desires, will lose his harvest. Whereby he intimates, that men will never do good here, which is expressed by sowing, and consequently not receive good hereafter, which is called reaping, if they be discouraged from it by every doubt and difficulty. 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 11:4

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . shall not sow. shall not reap. The ploughing must be done when the early rains have come, even in the face of storm and tempest; otherwise there will be no reaping after the latter rains. read more

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