Eclesiastes 11
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Eclesiastes 11
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Notice that several translations think the last literary unit (i.e., before several brief concluding statements) begins in chapter 11, 11:9-12:8. Eccl. 11:9-12:8 (NKJV, TEV) Eccl. 11:7-12:8 (NRSV, NJB) There are several commands in this chapter: "cast," Eccl. 11:1, BDB 1018; KB 1511, Piel IMPERATIVE "divide," Eccl. 11:2, BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERATIVE "sow," Eccl. 11:6, BDB 281, KB 282, Qal IMPERATIVE "be idle" (lit. "rest"), Eccl. 11:6, BDB 628, KB 679, Hiphil JUSSIVE "let him rejoice," Eccl. 11:8, BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT but used in a JUSSIVE sense "let him remember," Eccl. 11:8, BDB 269, KB 269, Qal IMPERFECT but used in a JUSSIVE sense "rejoice," v, 9, BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERATIVE "let your heart be pleasant" (lit. "do good"), Eccl. 11:9, BDB 405, KB 408, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense "follow" (lit. "walk"), Eccl. 11:9, BDB 229, KB 246, Piel IMPERATIVE "know," Eccl. 11:9, BDB 393, KB 390, Qal IMPERATIVE "remove," Eccl. 11:10, BDB 693, KB 747, Hiphil IMPERATIVE "put away," Eccl. 11:10, BDB 716, KB 778, Hiphil IMPERATIVE "remember," 12:1, BDB 269, KB 269, Qal IMPERATIVE This paragraph (or stanza depending on the genre, cf. NKJV, NJB), Eccl. 11:1-6, uses agricultural and rural imagery to communicate wisdom teachings.
Eclesiastes 11:1-5
11:1 This is a recurrent proverb in the Bible relating to one's generosity (rabbinical sources) and God's gracious response (cf. Deut. 15:10; Prov. 11:24-25; 19:17; 22:9; Matt. 10:42; 2 Cor. 9:8; Gal. 6:9; Heb. 6:10). There are scholars who think the mentioning of "waters" is a reference to marine commerce. Therefore, this verse refers to shrewd investments in sea trade (see NASB Study Bible). There is very little in this context to support this interpretation. But, it does illustrate the difficulty one faces in moderns trying to understand ANE idioms, imagery, and wisdom literature. 11:2 "Divide your portion to seven, or even eight" This either refers to diversifying your wealth (NET Bible #5, p. 1143) more probably in context, helping many people (cf. Matt. 5:42; Luke 6:30) The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1619, suggests that the sequence of seven. . .eight was a common idiom in both Canaanite and Hebrew literature for "a significant quantity." SPECIAL TOPIC: ALMSGIVING NASB, JPSOA, Peshitta "misfortune" NKJV, LXX "evil" NRSV, NJB "disaster" "bad luck" "disasters" This is the term "evil" (BDB 949, KB 1262). See note at Eccl. 2:17 ("grievous") and 9:12 ("treacherous"). It is coming! Act while you can (Eccl. 11:4,6). Give while you can (Eccl. 11:1-2). Enjoy while you can (Eccl. 11:7-8). 11:3 Humans experience, but cannot predict or control, the events of their lives (a recurrent theme in Ecclesiastes), but we can share our wealth in good times then when the dark days come, others will share with us, similar to the biblical concept of "we reap what we sow" (see full lists of texts at Gal. 6:6-10). 11:4 At first, this verse of two parallel statements implies a warning against inactivity (i.e., referring to giving from Eccl. 11:1-2). However, I prefer the interpretation of the UBS Handbook For Translators, p. 398, which asserts that it is not inactivity (cf. TEV, REB), but timely activity, that is being advocated (also see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 1018, #2). Farmers do not sow in a strong wind. Farmers wait until the wind direction denotes rain, not hot desert winds. Farmers sow during rainy periods, but reap during rainless periods. When one is happy and successful, then give to others. If you wait the dark days may come when you cannot give. 11:5 NASB, NKJV, NJB, LXX, Peshitta "wind" "living spirit" NRSV, JPSOA "breath" "life" "spirit" Some translations take "wind" (BDB 924, KB 1197) as "spirit" or "breath," thereby connecting the two lines and relating them both to prenatal activity (cf. KJV, NRSV, TEV, REB, JPSOA, NAB). The interpretive question is, "Is there one illustration of mankind's inability to know, or are there two illustrations in Eccl. 11:5?" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT The big issue is that in some areas (i.e., planting and harvesting times) humans can learn by observation and tradition, but in other areas (mysteries of nature and mysteries of God's activities) humans cannot know. Wisdom, though good, helpful, and desirable, cannot solve all of life's unknowns! ▣ "how bones are formed in the womb" The OT asserts that Yahweh formed, Job 10:8-11; 31:15; Ps. 139:13-16; Isa. 44:2,24; 46:3 knows, Jer. 1:5; Rom. 9:11 Messianic imagery, Isa. 49:1,5 humans in the womb. ▣ "so you do not know the activity of God" This has been a common theme (cf. Eccl. 1:13; 3:10,11; 8:17). God and His works and ways cannot be completely known by fallen mankind, but we can trust Him because of what we do know! NASB, REB, JPSOA, LXX "all things" "all things" NRSV, TEV "everything" NJB, Peshitta "all" This is an idiom for the entire creation (cf. Ps. 103:19; 119:91; Jer. 10:16). NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 730, lists several other phrases that are used to designate the entire creation: heaven and earth (e.g., Gen. 1:1; Ps. 115:15; 121:2; Prov. 3:19-20 "the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them" (e.g., Ps. 24:1-2; 50:12; 89:11; Jer. 51:48; 1 Cor. 10:26 "in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth (e.g., Exod. 20:4; Ps. 135:6) SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN
Eclesiastes 11:6
11:6 "sow" Sow (imagery for giving) with confidence and leave the results to God (cf. 2 Cor. 9:6). Verses 5 and 6 are connected by the word "know" (BDB 393, KB 390, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW ▣ "succeed" This Hebrew VERB (BDB 506, KB 503, Qal IMPERFECT) is found only here and in Eccl. 10:10 (Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT). The NOUN is found only in Ecclesiastes as well (cf. Eccl. 2:21; 4:4; 5:10), meaning "skill," "success," or "profit." Success is uncertain. It may come (i.e., Eccl. 11:7-8) and it may not (i.e., Eccl. 11:8b). When it does, act (i.e., share).
Eclesiastes 11:7-8
11:7 "light is pleasant" This is imagery for the enjoyment of life (cf. Eccl. 2:24-26; 3:12,13,22; 5:18; 8:15) the beginning of life (i.e., "see the son," cf. Eccl. 6:5; 7:11) 11:8 This verse seems to relate to Eccl. 11:1-6. Share your wealth and influence while you can because dark days come into every life, and in those days others will share with you. Live life fully every day. One does not know how many of them will be good and bright! ▣ "the days of darkness" This term "darkness" (BDB 365; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 312-315) is used as imagery for death ‒ 1 Sam. 2:9; Job 10:21-22; 15:22,30; 17:13; 18:18; Ps. 88:11-12; 139:11 secrecy ‒ Job 12:22; Isa. 45:3 place of hiding ‒ Job 34:22 distress ‒ 2 Sam. 22:29; Job 15:23; 22:11; 23:17; 29:3; 107:10,14; Eccl. 5:17; 11:8; Isa. 5:30; 9:2; Micah 7:8 terror ‒ Ezek. 32:8; Amos 5:18,20; Nahum v. 8; Zeph. 1:15 mourning ‒ Isa. 47:5 confusion ‒ Job 5:14; 12:25; 19:8; Ps. 35:6 ignorance ‒ Job 37:19; Ps. 18:28; Eccl. 2:14 evil ‒ Prov. 2:13; Isa. 5:20 obscurity ‒ Eccl. 6:4 healing ‒ Ps. 107:14 ▣ "futulity" See full note on this crucial term at Eccl. 1:2 and NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 1003-1006.
Eclesiastes 11:9-10
11:9 At this point in the context, Qoheleth begins to talk about the different opportunities and problems that regularly occur during the different stages of life (Eccl. 11:9-12:7). childhood youth young adult old age ▣ "follow the impulses of your heart" This advice does not refer to evil, but to the natural human instincts of young people: be with friends enjoy life at social events desire a family and children find one's vocation SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "Yet know that God will bring you to judgment" We are responsible for our choices (cf. Eccl. 3:17; 12:1; 14; Matthew 25-26; Rom. 2:16; 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7; Revelation 20)! All humans will give an account to God of the gift of life. See note at Eccl. 12:1. SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT 10:19 "So, remove. . ." The VERB (BDB 693, KB 747, Hiphil IMPERATIVE is parallel with "put away" (BDB 716, KB 778, Hiphil IMPERATIVE). Humans have the ability to analyze and check their thinking and behavior. Young people are encouraged to eliminate vexation (BDB 495), referring to emotional distress pain (BDB 949), here referring to physical issues ▣ "grief" NKJV, LXX "sorrow" "anxiety" "worry" "indignation" "vexation" "care" "anger" This term (NOUN, BDB 495, KB 491; VERB, BDB 494) has several possible connotations: anger of men, Eccl. 7:9 anger of God grief, Eccl. 1:18; 2:23; 5:16 sorrow, Eccl. 7:3 This verse could fit with #3 or #4. Life is hard; enjoy it when, where and while you can! ▣ "the prime of life" This is possibly related to the concept, "days of black hair" (BDB 1007; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 83, #5), which is the same basic Semitic root as "dawn" (BDB 1007). Youth, as all things, will pass away (lit. "vanity," BDB 210 I). It is fleeting and meaningless! NASB, JPSOA "fleeting" NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "vanity" "futile" "mere futility" This is the term "breath" (BDB 210 I; see full note at Eccl. 1:2), used here in the sense of "fleeting" (cf. Eccl. 6:12; 7:15; 9:9; Job 7:16; Ps. 39:5,11; 62:9; 78:33; 144:4; Prov. 31:30). Context determines the connotation intended by the original inspired author!