Skip to content
The Historic Faith
Audio Bible

Ecclesiastes 11 KJV Audio Bible

Select Translation

1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9 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 thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Listen to Ecclesiastes 11 with verse-by-verse audio highlighting.

Study tools for Ecclesiastes 11

Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Ecclesiastes 11. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.

Ecclesiastes 11 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 13 cross-references, 2 Early-Church citations.

Cross-references in Ecclesiastes 11 (13)

See the full cross-reference index →

Hebrew interlinear — Ecclesiastes 11:1–10 (143 words)
1
  1. שַׁלַּ֥חšallaḥshalach: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)H7971
  2. לַחְמְךָ֖laḥmĕkālechem: food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)H3899
  3. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  4. פְּנֵ֣יpĕnêpaniym: the face (as the part that turns); (with prepositional prefix, as a preposition) before, etc.H6440
  5. הַמָּ֑יִםhammāyimmayim: water; (figuratively) juiceH4325
  6. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  7. בְרֹ֥בbĕrōbrob: abundance (in any respect)H7230
  8. הַיָּמִ֖יםhayyāmîmyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
  9. תִּמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃timṣāʾennûmatsa': (properly) to come forth to, i.e. appear or existH4672
2
  1. תֶּןtennathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
  2. חֵ֥לֶקḥēleqcheleq: (properly) smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotmentH2506
  3. לְשִׁבְעָ֖הlĕšibʿâsheba`: a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one)H7651
  4. וְגַ֣םwĕgamgam: (properly) assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, thoughH1571
  5. לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑הlišmônâshmoneh: a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the "perfect" seven)H8083
  6. כִּ֚יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  7. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  8. תֵדַ֔עtēdaʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  9. מַהmamah: (properly, interrogative) what? (including how? why? when?)H4100
  10. יִּהְיֶ֥הyihyehayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
  11. רָעָ֖הrāʿâra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
  12. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  13. הָאָֽרֶץ׃hāʾāreṣerets: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)H776
3
  1. אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  2. יִמָּלְא֨וּyimmolʾûmale': to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)H4390
  3. הֶעָבִ֥יםheʿābîm`ab: (properly) an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4H5645
  4. גֶּ֙שֶׁם֙gešemgeshem: a showerH1653
  5. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  6. הָאָ֣רֶץhāʾāreṣerets: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)H776
  7. יָרִ֔יקוּyārîqûruwq: to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. emptyH7324
  8. וְאִםwĕʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  9. יִפּ֥וֹלyippôlnaphal: to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)H5307
  10. עֵ֛ץʿēṣ`ets: a tree (from its firmness); (hence) wood (plural sticks)H6086
  11. בַּדָּר֖וֹםbaddārômdarowm: the south; poet. the south windH1864
  12. וְאִ֣םwĕʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  13. בַּצָּפ֑וֹןbaṣṣāpôntsaphown: (properly) hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)H6828
  14. מְק֛וֹםmĕqômmaqowm: (properly) a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific)H4725
  15. שֶׁיִּפּ֥וֹלšeyyippôlnaphal: to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)H5307
  16. הָעֵ֖ץhāʿēṣ`ets: a tree (from its firmness); (hence) wood (plural sticks)H6086
  17. שָׁ֥םšāmsham: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thenceH8033
  18. יְהֽוּא׃yĕhûʾhava': supposed to mean properly, to breathe; to be (in the sense of existence)H1933
4
  1. שֹׁמֵ֥רšōmērshamar: (properly) to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guardH8104
  2. ר֖וּחַrûaḥruwach: wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalationH7307
  3. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  4. יִזְרָ֑עyizrāʿzara`: to sow; (figuratively) to disseminate, plant, fructifyH2232
  5. וְרֹאֶ֥הwĕrōʾera'ah: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and...H7200
  6. בֶעָבִ֖יםbeʿābîm`ab: (properly) an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chron. 4H5645
  7. לֹ֥אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  8. יִקְצֽוֹר׃yiqṣôrקצרH7114
5
  1. כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רkaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
  2. אֵֽינְךָ֤ʾênĕkāayin: a non-entity; (generally) used as a negative particleH369
  3. יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙yôdēʿayada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  4. מַהmamah: (properly, interrogative) what? (including how? why? when?)H4100
  5. דֶּ֣רֶךְderekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  6. הָר֔וּחַhārûaḥruwach: wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalationH7307
  7. כַּעֲצָמִ֖יםkaʿăṣāmîm`etsem: a bone (as strong); by extension, the bodyH6106
  8. בְּבֶ֣טֶןbĕbeṭenbeten: the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anythingH990
  9. הַמְּלֵאָ֑הhammĕlēʾâmale': full (literally or figuratively); (literally) fillingH4392
  10. כָּ֗כָהkākâkakah: just so, referring to the previous or following contextH3602
  11. לֹ֤אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  12. תֵדַע֙tēdaʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  13. אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
  14. מַעֲשֵׂ֣הmaʿăśēma`aseh: an action (good or bad); (generally) a transactionH4639
  15. הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔יםhāʾĕlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
  16. אֲשֶׁ֥רʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
  17. יַעֲשֶׂ֖הyaʿăśe`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
  18. אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
  19. הַכֹּֽל׃hakkōlkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
6
  1. בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙babbōqerboqer: (properly) dawn (as the break of day); (generally) morningH1242
  2. זְרַ֣עzĕraʿzara`: to sow; (figuratively) to disseminate, plant, fructifyH2232
  3. אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
  4. זַרְעֶ֔ךָzarʿekāzera`: seed; (figuratively) fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterityH2233
  5. וְלָעֶ֖רֶבwĕlāʿereb`ereb: duskH6153
  6. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  7. תַּנַּ֣חtannaḥyanach: to deposit; (by implication) to allow to stayH3240
  8. יָדֶ֑ךָyādekāyad: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one)H3027
  9. כִּי֩kiykiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  10. אֵֽינְךָ֙ʾênĕkāayin: a non-entity; (generally) used as a negative particleH369
  11. יוֹדֵ֜עyôdēʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  12. אֵ֣יʾêay: where? hence how?H335
  13. זֶ֤הzezeh: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or thatH2088
  14. יִכְשָׁר֙yikšārkasher: (by implication) to be acceptable; (also) to succeed or prosperH3787
  15. הֲזֶ֣הhăzezeh: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or thatH2088
  16. אוֹʾôow: desire (and so probably in Prov. 31; hence (by way of alternative) or, also ifH176
  17. זֶ֔הzezeh: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or thatH2088
  18. וְאִםwĕʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  19. שְׁנֵיהֶ֥םšĕnêhemshnayim: two; (as ordinal) twofoldH8147
  20. כְּאֶחָ֖דkĕʾeḥādechad: (properly) united, i.e. one; (as an ordinal) firstH259
  21. טוֹבִֽים׃ṭôbîmtowb: good (as an adjective) in the widest senseH2896
7
  1. וּמָת֖וֹקûmātôqmathowq: sweetH4966
  2. הָא֑וֹרhāʾôrowr: illumination; (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)H216
  3. וְט֥וֹבwĕṭôbtowb: good (as an adjective) in the widest senseH2896
  4. לַֽעֵינַ֖יִםlaʿênayim`ayin: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)H5869
  5. לִרְא֥וֹתlirʾôtra'ah: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and...H7200
  6. אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
  7. הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃haššāmešshemesh: the sun; (by implication) the eastH8121
8
  1. כִּ֣יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  3. שָׁנִ֥יםšānîmshaneh: a year (as a revolution of time)H8141
  4. הַרְבֵּ֛הharbērabah: to increase (in whatever respect)H7235
  5. יִחְיֶ֥הyiḥyechayah: to live, whether literally or figurativelyH2421
  6. הָאָדָ֖םhāʾādāmadam: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)H120
  7. בְּכֻלָּ֣םbĕkullāmkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  8. יִשְׂמָ֑חyiśmāḥsamach: probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesomeH8055
  9. וְיִזְכֹּר֙wĕyizkōrzakar: (properly) to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to rememberH2142
  10. אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
  11. יְמֵ֣יyĕmêyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
  12. הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְhaḥōšekchoshek: the dark; hence (literally) darknessH2822
  13. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  14. הַרְבֵּ֥הharbērabah: to increase (in whatever respect)H7235
  15. יִהְי֖וּyihyûhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
  16. כָּלkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  17. שֶׁבָּ֥אšebbāʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
  18. הָֽבֶל׃hābelhebel: emptiness or vanity; (figuratively) something transitory and unsatisfactoryH1892
9
  1. שְׂמַ֧חśĕmaḥsamach: probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesomeH8055
  2. בָּח֣וּרbāḥûrbachuwr: (properly) selected; a youth (often collective)H970
  3. בְּיַלְדוּתֶ֗יךָbĕyaldûtêkāyalduwth: boyhood (or girlhood)H3208
  4. וִֽיטִֽיבְךָ֤wîṭîbĕkāyatab: to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)H3190
  5. לִבְּךָ֙libbĕkāleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  6. בִּימֵ֣יbîmêyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
  7. בְחוּרוֹתֶ֔יךָbĕḥûrôtêkābchurowth: youth (collectively and abstractly)H979
  8. וְהַלֵּךְ֙wĕhallēkhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
  9. בְּדַרְכֵ֣יbĕdarkêderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  10. לִבְּךָ֔libbĕkāleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  11. וּבְמַרְאֵ֖יûbĕmarʾêmar'eh: a view (the act of seeing)H4758
  12. עֵינֶ֑יךָʿênêkā`ayin: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)H5869
  13. וְדָ֕עwĕdāʿyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  14. כִּ֧יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  15. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  16. כָּלkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  17. אֵ֛לֶּהʾēlleel-leh: these or thoseH428
  18. יְבִֽיאֲךָ֥yĕbîʾăkābow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
  19. הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhāʾĕlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
  20. בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃bammišpāṭmishpat: (properly) a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree...H4941
10
  1. וְהָסֵ֥רwĕhāsērcuwr: to turn off (literal or figurative)H5493
  2. כַּ֙עַס֙kaʿaska`ac: vexationH3708
  3. מִלִּבֶּ֔ךָmillibbekāleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  4. וְהַעֲבֵ֥רwĕhaʿăbēr`abar: to cross overH5674
  5. רָעָ֖הrāʿâra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
  6. מִבְּשָׂרֶ֑ךָmibbĕśārekābasar: flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, personH1320
  7. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  8. הַיַּלְד֥וּתhayyaldûtyalduwth: boyhood (or girlhood)H3208
  9. וְהַֽשַּׁחֲר֖וּתwĕhaššaḥărûtshacharuwth: a dawning, i.e. (figuratively) juvenescenceH7839
  10. הָֽבֶל׃hābelhebel: emptiness or vanity; (figuratively) something transitory and unsatisfactoryH1892

View the full Hebrew interlinear for Ecclesiastes 11 →

Strong's words in Ecclesiastes 11 (6)
Strong's H3045 — תֵדַ֔ע (tēdaʿ)
yada` (yaw-dah') v. 1. to know 2. (properly) to ascertain by seeing 3. used in a great variety of senses 4. figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition 5. and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow) [a primitive root] KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit, wot.. Appears 5 times in Ecclesiastes 11.
Strong's H518 — אִם (ʾim)
im (eem) prt. 1. (used very widely as demonstrative) lo! 2. (interrogatively) whether? 3. (conditionally), if, although 4. (also) Oh that!, when 5. (hence, as a negative) not [a primitive particle] KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.. Appears 5 times in Ecclesiastes 11.
Strong's H3605 — הַכֹּֽל׃ (hakkōl)
kol (kole) (or (Jer. 33) n-m. 1. (properly) the whole 2. (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) [from H3634] KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). Root(s): H3634. Appears 4 times in Ecclesiastes 11.
Strong's H3117 — הַיָּמִ֖ים (hayyāmîm)
yowm (yome) n-m. 1. a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb) [from an unused root meaning to be hot] KJV: age, + always, + chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.. Appears 3 times in Ecclesiastes 11.
Strong's H3820 — לִבְּךָ֙ (libbĕkā)
leb (labe) n-m. 1. the heart 2. also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect 3. likewise for the centre of anything [a form of H3824] KJV: + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom. Root(s): H3824. Appears 3 times in Ecclesiastes 11.
Strong's H1870 — דֶּ֣רֶךְ (derek)
derek (deh'-rek) n-m. 1. a road (as trodden) 2. (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverb [from H1869] KJV: along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever). Root(s): H1869. Appears 2 times in Ecclesiastes 11.

Browse the full Strong's concordance →

““Sow your seed,” he said, “in the morning hour and do not cease in the evening hour.” And I say according to my dull mind, “The morning hour is the young childhood of man, and the evening hour is old age.””

What the Early Church wrote about Ecclesiastes 11 (1)

  • “For though you seem immediately to waste it upon some persons, as if you cast your bread upon the water, yet in the progress of time your kindness shall be seen to be not unprofitable for you. Also give liberally, and give a portion of your means to many; for you know not what...”

    — Gregory of Neocaesarea (3rd century) on Ecclesiastes 11:1

Read the full Ante-Nicene Fathers library →

0:00 Ecclesiastes 11 0:00

Video Bible

Loading video...

Scripture video provided by Faith Comes By Hearing

🌐 Select Language

2532 Bibles in 2198 Languages

Select Translation

Congratulations!

You completed the book of Matthew!

Points Earned +280
28 Chapters
15% NT Progress