1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3If 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.
4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5As 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.
6In 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.
7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8But 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.
9Rejoice, 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.
10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
The preacher advises generosity and action, even in the face of an uncertain future, using the image of casting bread upon the waters. He encourages the young to rejoice in youth, while reminding them that they too will answer to God.
Explanation
"Cast thy bread upon the waters" is a metaphor likely related to maritime trade or irrigation farming, teaching that investing generously, even without a guarantee of immediate return, will bring benefits in due time. The advice to act despite uncertainty ("he that observeth the wind shall not sow") teaches that waiting for perfect conditions before acting is a form of unproductive paralysis. The chapter ends with a joyful call to youth, but already anticipates the theme of the final chapter: living with joy while always remembering one's responsibility before God. Application for today: not letting uncertainty about the future stand in the way of generosity and action in the present.
Fun facts
- The expression "cast thy bread upon the waters" may allude to Egyptian and Phoenician maritime trade, where grain was exported by ship at risk, but with the potential for great return—an image of investing in faith for the future.
- The mention of "seven, and also to eight" (verse 2) is a common Hebrew numerical pattern (a number followed by the next number) used to indicate abundant generosity that is not calculated with exactness.