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Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/21_Ecc_11_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 11:1 - Cast Your Bread upon the Waters" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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after many days you may receive a return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions], for you will find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Send your bread on the surface of the water, for after many days you may find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Send your bread on the surface of the waters, for after many days you may find it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Throw your bread on the surface of the water, because you will find it again after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Invest your money in foreign trade, and one of these days you will make a profit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Spread your bread on the water— after a while you will find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Send your grain overseas, for after many days you will get a return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Send forth your bread on the face of the waters, "" For in the multitude of the days you find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Send forth thy bread on the face of the waters, For in the multitude of the days thou dost find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Send forth thy bread upon the face of the waters, for in a multitude of days thou shalt find it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time thou shalt find it again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Cast your bread over running waters. For, after a long time, you shall find it again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Send forth your bread upon the face of the waters; after a long time you may find it again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />CAST your bread upon the waters; for you shall find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Send your bread upon the face of the waters, for after many days you will find it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Cast thy bread upon the waters, For thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Send forth thy bread upon the face of the water: for thou shalt find it after many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=2007" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Cast Your Bread upon the Waters</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šal·laḥ (V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">Cast</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: laḥ·mə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">your bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: ḇə·rōḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">after many</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: tim·ṣā·’en·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To attain to, find. ">you will find it again.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-38.htm">Luke 6:38</a></span><br />Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-6.htm">2 Corinthians 9:6-7</a></span><br />Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a></span><br />Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Isaiah 32:20</a></span><br />Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Matthew 5:42</a></span><br />Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-18.htm">1 Timothy 6:18-19</a></span><br />Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24-25</a></span><br />One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/112-9.htm">Psalm 112:9</a></span><br />He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-35.htm">Acts 20:35</a></span><br />In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-16.htm">Hebrews 13:16</a></span><br />And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-9.htm">Proverbs 22:9</a></span><br />A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-10.htm">Deuteronomy 15:10</a></span><br />Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Luke 14:13-14</a></span><br />But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.</p><p class="hdg">waters</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Isaiah 32:20</a></b></br> Blessed <i>are</i> ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth <i>thither</i> the feet of the ox and the ass.</p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:6</a></b></br> 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 <i>shall be</i> alike good.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/15-10.htm">Deuteronomy 15:10</a></b></br> Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Psalm 41:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed <i>is</i> he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-6.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/songs/1-10.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Find</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Time</a> <a href="/songs/4-15.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">directions for charity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-7.htm">death in life and the day of judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">in the days of youth</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Cast your bread upon the waters</b><br>This phrase suggests an act of faith and generosity. In ancient times, "bread" symbolized sustenance and livelihood. Casting it "upon the waters" implies releasing something valuable without immediate return, akin to sowing seeds. The imagery may reflect the practice of maritime trade, where merchants sent goods across seas, trusting in eventual profit. This act of casting can also symbolize acts of charity or kindness, trusting God for future returns. The waters can represent uncertainty, emphasizing faith in God's provision. This aligns with Jesus' teachings on giving and trusting God for provision (<a href="/luke/6-38.htm">Luke 6:38</a>).<p><b>for after many days</b><br>The phrase "after many days" indicates a period of waiting and patience. In biblical times, agricultural and trade cycles required patience, as returns were not immediate. This reflects the principle of sowing and reaping found throughout Scripture (<a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9</a>). The delay tests faith and perseverance, encouraging believers to trust in God's timing. It also mirrors the patience required in spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's promises.<p><b>you will find it again</b><br>This assurance of return highlights the principle of divine reward and faithfulness. The promise that "you will find it again" suggests that acts of faith and generosity will not be in vain. It echoes the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to those who trust and obey Him (<a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a>). This return may not always be material but can manifest in spiritual blessings or eternal rewards. The certainty of finding it again encourages believers to live generously and trust in God's provision, reflecting the ultimate return of investment in God's kingdom (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel was a nation that experienced prosperity and challenges during his time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_waters.htm">The Waters</a></b><br>- Symbolic in this verse, "the waters" can represent uncertainty or the unknown, reflecting the unpredictability of life and the act of faith in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The act of casting bread upon the waters symbolizes taking steps of faith without immediate assurance of return. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generosity_and_investment.htm">Generosity and Investment</a></b><br>This verse teaches the importance of being generous and investing in others, even when the outcome is uncertain. It encourages believers to give freely, trusting that God will bring a return in due time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_and_trust.htm">Patience and Trust</a></b><br>The promise of finding the bread again "after many days" highlights the need for patience and trust in God's promises. Believers are reminded that God's timing is perfect, even when it requires waiting.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>The verse calls for responsible stewardship of resources, encouraging believers to use what they have to bless others, knowing that God honors such actions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'cast_your_bread_upon_waters'.htm">What does "Cast your bread upon the waters" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'spirit_of_the_law'_mean.htm">What does 'Cast your bread upon the waters' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">XI</span>.<p>(1) In this section the preacher is drawing to a close, and he brings out practical lessons very different from those which views of life like his have suggested to others. From the uncertainty of the results of human effort, he infers that we ought the more diligently to make trial of varied forms of exertion, in order that this or that may succeed. From the instability of human happiness, he draws the lesson that we ought to enjoy freely such happiness as life affords, yet with a temperate and chastened joy, and mindful of the account we shall have to render. The most popular explanation of <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm" title="Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.">Ecclesiastes 11:1</a> is, that the figure is taken from the casting of seed on irrigated lands, as, for instance, in Egypt before the waters of the Nile have subsided; and that the duty of beneficence is here inculcated. We are to sow our benefits broadcast, and be assured we shall have a harvest of reward. It is easier to raise objections to this interpretation than to improve on it. That the word translated "bread" is sometimes used in the sense of seed corn, see <a href="/isaiah/28-28.htm" title="Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.">Isaiah 28:28</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-23.htm" title="Then shall he give the rain of your seed, that you shall sow the ground with; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall your cattle feed in large pastures.">Isaiah 30:23</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-14.htm" title="He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;">Psalm 104:14</a>. It is objected that the words "cast on the waters" are, literally, "send over the face of the waters," the word "send" being nowhere else used in the sense of sowing. It has been remarked that in the East bread is used in the shape of light cakes, which would float on water; and the text has been understood as directing the casting of such cakes into a running stream--an irrational proceeding, not likely to occur to any but one to whom this text might have suggested it, and not offering ground for expectation that he who so cast his bread would find it again. It has been less absurdly proposed to understand the text as advising maritime enterprise; but the word "bread" does not harmonise with this explanation. There is nothing else in the book according with such advice; and the next verse, about "the evil that shall be <span class= "ital">upon the earth," </span>shows that the writer was not thinking of the dangers of the sea. I believe, therefore, that <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm" title="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.">Ecclesiastes 11:6</a>, which speaks distinctly of the sowing of seed, is the best commentary on the present verse, which means, cast thy seed, even though thou canst not see where it will fall. Possibly the application of the figure is not to be restricted to acts of beneficence; but the next verse may lead us to think that these are primarily intended, and to these especially the encouragement at the end of the verse applies; for in other cases this book gives a less cheerful view of the possible success of human plans. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-6.</span> - 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 <span class="accented">the first remedy for the perplexities of life</span>. The wise man will not charge himself with results. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Cast thy bread upon the waters.</span> 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 <span class="accented">shalaeh</span> is not used in the sense of sowing or scattering seed; it means "to cast or send forth." Two chief explanations have been given. <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> As to sow on the water is equivalent to taking thankless toil (compare the Greek proverb, <span class="greek">Σπείρειν ἐπὶ πόντῳ</span>), the gnome may be an injunction to do good without hope of return, like the evangelical precept (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44-46</a>; <a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32-35</a>). <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> It is a commercial maxim, urging men to make ventures in trade, that they may receive a good return for their expenditure. In this case the casting seed upon the waters is a metaphorical expression for sending merchandise across the sea to distant lands. This view is supposed to be confirmed by the statement concerning the good woman in <a href="/proverbs/31-14.htm">Proverbs 31:14</a>, "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her bread from far;" and the words of <a href="/psalms/107-23.htm">Psalm 107:23</a>, "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do Business in great waters." But one sees no reason why Koheleth should suddenly turn to commerce and the trade of a maritime city. Such considerations have no reference to the context, nor to the general design of the book. Nothing leads to them, nothing comes of them. On the other hand, if we take the verse as urging active beneficence as the safest and best proceeding under men's present circumstances, We have a maxim in due accordance with the spirit of the rest of the work, and one which conduces to the conclusion reached at the end. So we adopt the first of the two explanations mentioned above. The bread in the East is made in the form of thin cakes, which would float for a time if thrown into a stream; and if it be objected that no one would be guilty of such an irrational action as flinging bread into the water, it may be answered that this is just the point aimed at. Do your kindnesses, exert yourself, in the most unlikely quarters, not thinking of gratitude or return, but only of duty. And yet surely a recompense will be made in some form or other. Thou shalt find it after many days. This is not to be the motive of our acts, but it will in the course of time be the result; and this thought may be an encouragement. In the Chaldee Version of parts of Ecclesiasticus there is extant a maxim identical with our verse, "Strew thy bread on the water and on the land, and thou shalt find it at the end of days" (Dukes, 'Rabb. Btumenl.,' p. 73). Parallels have been found in many quarters. Thus the Turk says, "Do good, throw it into the water; if the fish does not know it, God does." Herzfeld quotes Goethe - <p><span class="accented">"Was willst du untersuchen,<br />Wohin die Milde fliesst!<br />Ins Wasser wirf deine Kuchen;<br />Wer weiss wet sie geniesst?"</span> . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Cast</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁלַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(šal·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your bread</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחְמְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(laḥ·mə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after many</span><br /><span class="heb">בְרֹ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּמִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will find it [again].</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tim·ṣā·’en·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread on the waters (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 10:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 10:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:2" /></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>