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For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether one or the other will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Sow your seed in the morning and do not put your hands down in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle with your hands in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening planting will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don&#8217t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Plant your seeds early in the morning and keep working in the field until dark. Who knows? Your work might pay off, and your seeds might produce. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Plant your seed in the morning, and don't let your hands rest until evening. You don't know whether this field or that field will be profitable or whether both of them will [turn out] equally well. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do your planting in the morning and in the evening, too. You never know whether it will all grow well or whether one planting will do better than the other. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Sow your seed in the morning, and don't stop working until evening, since you don't know which of your endeavors will do well, whether this one or that, or even if both will do equally well. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed--whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they will both be equally good. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/11.htm">World English Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> In the morning sow your seed, "" And at evening do not withdraw your hand, "" For you do not know which is right, this or that, "" Or whether both of them alike [are] good. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> In the morning sow thy seed, And at even withdraw not thy hand, For thou knowest not which is right, this or that, Or whether both of them alike are good. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and at evening thou shalt not let thy hand rest: for thou shalt not know whether this shall be right, this or that, or if they two as one being good.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and In the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening, do not let your hand cease. For you do not know which of these may rise up, the one or the other. But if both rise up together, so much the better. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand be idle: For you do not know which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hands: for you know not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both alike shall be good. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Every dawn sow your seed, and at evening do not remove your hand, because you do not know what will prosper, whether this or that, or if both are good together<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> In the morning sow thy seed, And in the evening withhold not thy hand; For thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, Or whether they both shall be alike good. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thine hand be slack: for thou knowest not what sort shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both shall be good alike. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=2057" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Cast Your Bread upon the Waters</a> …5As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6<a href="/hebrew/2232.htm" title="2232: zə·ra‘ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To sow, scatter seed. A primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify.">Sow</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: zar·‘e·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">your seed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: bab·bō·qer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">in the morning,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: tan·naḥ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-2ms) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">rest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏe·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">your hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/6153.htm" title="6153: wə·lā·‘e·reḇ (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Evening. From arab; dusk.">in the evening,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nə·ḵā (Adv:: 2ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">you do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·ḏēʿ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/335.htm" title="335: ’ê (Interrog) -- Where?. Perhaps from 'aiyn; where? Hence how?.">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3787.htm" title="3787: yiḵ·šār (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root properly, to be straight or right; by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper.">will succeed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: hă·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">whether this</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw- (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">that,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or if</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">both</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: kə·’e·ḥāḏ (Prep-k:: Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">will equally</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇîm (Adj-mp) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">prosper.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9</a> Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. <a href="/2_corinthians/9-6.htm">2 Corinthians 9:6</a> Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. <a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a> Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. <a href="/proverbs/11-18.htm">Proverbs 11:18</a> The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. <a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Isaiah 32:20</a> Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely. <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a> Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. <a href="/matthew/13-3.htm">Matthew 13:3-9</a> And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ... <a href="/mark/4-26.htm">Mark 4:26-29</a> Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. / Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. / All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. ... <a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Luke 8:5-8</a> “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings. ... <a href="/james/5-7.htm">James 5:7</a> Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-8</a> I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. <a href="/genesis/8-22.htm">Genesis 8:22</a> As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.” <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Proverbs 22:8</a> He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-13.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:13</a> But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing. <a href="/john/4-36.htm">John 4:36-38</a> Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. / For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. / I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.sow<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:10</a> Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.<a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10</a> For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:<a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Hosea 10:12</a> Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.thou knowest<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:1</a> For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.<a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6-11</a> Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes… <a href="/haggai/2-17.htm">Haggai 2:17-19</a> I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD… prosper <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-3.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">Either</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-13.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-9.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-18.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-25.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-4.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-4.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Sowing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Succeed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-3.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Withdraw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Withhold</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/4-2.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/songs/8-1.htm">Either</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-11.htm">Equally</a> <a href="/songs/2-17.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/songs/2-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/songs/6-10.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-15.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-11.htm">Sow</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Sowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Succeed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-11.htm">Withdraw</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm">Withhold</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 11</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">directions for charity</a> 7. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">death in life and the day of judgment</a> 9. <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">in the days of youth</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In ancient agrarian societies, sowing seed was a critical task that required careful timing and effort. The morning symbolizes the beginning of one's efforts, suggesting that one should start their work early and with vigor. This aligns with <a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6-8</a>, which advises learning from the ant's industriousness. The act of sowing also metaphorically represents investing in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and spiritual growth.and do not rest your hands in the evening The evening represents the latter part of the day, implying that one should continue to work diligently throughout the entire day. This phrase suggests perseverance and sustained effort, echoing the biblical principle of not growing weary in doing good (<a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9</a>). It reflects the cultural understanding of a full day's labor, which was common in biblical times, and emphasizes the importance of consistent effort.for you do not know which will succeed This acknowledges the uncertainty inherent in human endeavors. The unpredictability of outcomes is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, highlighting the limitations of human knowledge and control. This phrase encourages trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in <a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-15</a>, where believers are reminded to submit their plans to the Lord's will. It also reflects the wisdom of diversifying efforts, as one cannot predict which will bear fruit.whether this or that The phrase suggests that different efforts may yield different results. It encourages a balanced approach to life, where one does not rely solely on a single venture or path. This is akin to the parable of the talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>), where servants are rewarded for wisely investing their master's resources. It underscores the importance of being open to various opportunities and trusting God with the outcomes.or if both will equally prosper This possibility of dual success highlights the potential for abundant blessing. It reflects the biblical principle that God can bless multiple endeavors simultaneously, as seen in the story of Joseph, whose faithfulness led to prosperity in various circumstances (<a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2-5</a>). This phrase encourages hope and faith in God's provision, reminding believers that their efforts, when aligned with God's will, can lead to unexpected and bountiful results.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> - Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> - The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel was a nation that experienced prosperity and challenges during his time. 3. <a href="/topical/a/agricultural_imagery.htm">Agricultural Imagery</a> - The verse uses agricultural metaphors, common in the ancient Near East, to convey spiritual truths about diligence and trust in God's providence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/diligence_in_work.htm">Diligence in Work</a> The verse encourages consistent effort in our endeavors, both in the morning and evening. This reflects a biblical principle of hard work and perseverance. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> We are reminded that the outcome of our efforts is ultimately in God's hands. Our responsibility is to sow and work; God determines the success. <a href="/topical/e/embrace_uncertainty_with_faith.htm">Embrace Uncertainty with Faith</a> Life is unpredictable, and we cannot foresee which efforts will prosper. This calls for faith and trust in God's plan, even when outcomes are uncertain. <a href="/topical/b/balanced_life_approach.htm">Balanced Life Approach</a> The verse suggests a balanced approach to life, where we are neither idle nor overly anxious about results. We are to be active and trustful. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_sowing.htm">Spiritual Sowing</a> Beyond physical labor, this principle applies to spiritual disciplines. We are to sow seeds of faith, kindness, and love, trusting God for spiritual growth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 11</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_11_6_ignore_limits.htm">In Ecclesiastes 11:6, does the advice to sow seed “morning and evening” ignore practical limitations like weather, climate, and resources? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_'cast_bread'_yield_results.htm">In Ecclesiastes 11:1, how is 'casting bread upon the waters' supposed to yield a result when bread would dissolve or sink?</a> <a href="/q/does_'all_is_vanity'_contradict_purpose.htm">In Ecclesiastes 12:8, does the statement 'all is vanity' contradict the idea of purpose found elsewhere in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'spirit_of_the_law'_mean.htm">What does 'Cast your bread upon the waters' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Prosper.--The word is used again in <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm" title="If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.">Ecclesiastes 10:10</a> and <a href="/esther/8-5.htm" title="And said, If it please the king, and if I have favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:">Esther 8:5</a>, and belongs to modern Hebrew. (Comp. <a href="/context/galatians/6-7.htm" title="Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.">Galatians 6:7-8</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - In the morning sow thy seed. Do not let your ignorance of the future and the inscrutability of God's dealings lead you to indolence and apathy; do your appointed work; be active and diligent in your calling. The labor of the farmer is taken as a type of business generally, and was especially appropriate to the class of persons whom Koheleth is instructing. The injunction occurs naturally after ver. 4. And in the evening withhold not thine hand. Labor on untiredly from morn till evening. It is not an advice to rest during midday, as that was too hot a time to work (Stuart), but a call to spend the entire day in active employment, the two extremities being mentioned in order to include the whole. Work undertaken in a right spirit is a blessing, not a curse, shuts out many temptations, encourages many virtues. Some see here a special reference to the maxim at the beginning of the chapter, as though the author meant, "Exercise thy charity at all times, early and late," the metaphor being similar 'to that in <a href="/2_corinthians/9-6.htm">2 Corinthians 9:6</a>, "He which soweth sparingly," etc. Others find a figure of the ages of, man in the "morning and evening," thus, "From earliest youth practice piety and purity, and continue such conduct to its close." This leads naturally to the subject of the following section; but it may be doubted whether this thought was in the author's mind. It seems best to take the paragraph merely as commending activity, whether in business or in benevolence, without anxious regard to results which are in higher hands. "Withhold not thy hand," i.e. from sowing; Μὴ ἀφέτω ἡ χείρ σου (Septuagint). For thou knowest not whether shall prosper, which of the two sewings, either this or that, the morning or evening sowing. It is a chance, and a man must risk something; if one fails, the other may succeed. Or whether they both shall be alike good. The uncertainty rouses to exertion; labor may at any rate secure half the crop, or even give a double produce, if both sewings succeed. So in religion and morality, the good seed sown early and late may bear fruit early or late, or may have blessed results all along. The Vulgate is less correct, Et si utrumque simul, melius or, "And if both together, it will be better." <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Sow זְרַ֣ע (zə·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2232.htm">Strong's 2232: </a> To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify your seed זַרְעֶ֔ךָ (zar·‘e·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity in the morning, בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙ (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> Dawn, morning and do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not rest תַּנַּ֣ח (tan·naḥ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3240.htm">Strong's 3240: </a> Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, your hands יָדֶ֑ךָ (yā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand in the evening, וְלָעֶ֖רֶב (wə·lā·‘e·reḇ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6153.htm">Strong's 6153: </a> Evening for כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you do not אֵֽינְךָ֨ (’ê·nə·ḵā) Adverb | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle know יוֹדֵ֜ע‪‬ (yō·w·ḏê‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know which אֵ֣י (’ê) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_335.htm">Strong's 335: </a> Where?, how? will succeed, יִכְשָׁר֙ (yiḵ·šār) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3787.htm">Strong's 3787: </a> To be advantageous, proper, or suitable, to succeed whether this הֲזֶ֣ה (hă·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that or אוֹ־ (’ōw-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if that, זֶ֔ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that or if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not both שְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם (šə·nê·hem) Number - mdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) will equally כְּאֶחָ֖ד (kə·’e·ḥāḏ) Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first prosper. טוֹבִֽים׃ (ṭō·w·ḇîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow your seed (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>