Ecclesiastes 11:4
Ecclesiastes 11:4 in Multiple Translations
He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.
The farmer who pays attention to the direction of the wind knows when not to sow, and by watching the clouds knows when not to reap.
He that obserueth ye winde, shall not sow, and he that regardeth the cloudes, shall not reape.
Whoso is observing the wind soweth not, And whoso is looking on the thick clouds reapeth not.
He who observes the wind won’t sow; and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
He that observeth the wind, shall not sow: and he that considereth the clouds, shall never reap.
If farmers see in what direction the wind is blowing, they will know whether it is wise at that time to plant things or not. It is also true that if farmers look at the clouds and see that they are blowing from the west, which means that it will probably rain, they will not try to harvest their crops on that day.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 11:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
ר֖וּחַ
לֹ֣א
יִזְרָ֑ע
וְ/רֹאֶ֥ה
בֶ/עָבִ֖ים
לֹ֥א
יִקְצֽוֹר
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal
ר֖וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִזְרָ֑ע
zâraʻ
H2232
to sow
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/רֹאֶ֥ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal
בֶ/עָבִ֖ים
ʻâb
H5645
cloud
Prep | N-cp
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִקְצֽוֹר
qâtsar
H7114
be short
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 11:4
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
ר֖וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִזְרָ֑ע
zâraʻ
H2232
"to sow"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To sow or plant seed is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which also has figurative uses like spreading ideas or producing spiritual fruit. It appears in various forms, such as conceiving or yielding seed, and is used in biblical passages like Genesis and Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) to sow, scatter seed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sow 1a2) producing, yielding seed 1b)(Niphal) 1b1) to be sown 1b2) to become pregnant, be made pregnant 1c) (Pual) to be sown 1d) (Hiphil) to produce seed, yield seed
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 107:37; Psalms 97:11.
וְ/רֹאֶ֥ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
בֶ/עָבִ֖ים
ʻâb
H5645
"cloud"
Prep | N-cp
In the Bible, this word means a dark cloud or a thicket, often used to describe a place of refuge or a sign of God's presence, as seen in 2 Chronicles 4:17. It can also refer to a cloudy or thick atmosphere. The word is used to describe natural phenomena and is found in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) darkness, cloud, thicket 1a) dark cloud 1b) cloud mass 1c) thicket (as refuge)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clay, (thick) cloud, [idiom] thick, thicket. Compare H5672 (עֲבִי). See also: Exodus 19:9; Psalms 18:13; Psalms 18:12.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִקְצֽוֹר
qâtsar
H7114
"be short"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to reap or harvest, like cutting down grain or grass. It is used in the Bible to describe the act of harvesting, and also to describe being discouraged or grieved.
Definition: 1) to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved 1a) (Qal) to be short 1b) (Piel) to shorten 1c) (Hiphil) to shorten
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex. See also: Leviticus 19:9; Job 24:6; Psalms 89:46.
Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 11:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ecclesiastes 11:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
- Sermons on Ecclesiastes 11:4
Context — Cast Your Bread upon the Waters
2Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.
3If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.
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. 6Sow 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 20:4 | The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there. |
| 2 | Proverbs 3:27 | Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. |
| 3 | Proverbs 22:13 | The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!” |
Ecclesiastes 11:4 Summary
This verse is warning us against being too cautious or waiting for the perfect moment to take action. If we wait for everything to be just right, we might miss out on opportunities and never take the first step, as seen in the example of not planting seeds because we are afraid of the weather. Instead, we should trust in God's sovereignty and provision, and take steps of faith, even when things are uncertain (Proverbs 3:5-6). By doing so, we can experience God's guidance and provision in our lives, just as the Bible promises in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'watch the wind' in Ecclesiastes 11:4?
To 'watch the wind' means to be overly cautious or wait for perfect conditions before taking action, which can lead to inaction and missed opportunities, as seen in this verse and supported by the principle of not putting off until tomorrow what can be done today, as taught in Proverbs 6:6-11.
Is the author of Ecclesiastes 11:4 discouraging us from planning or being prepared?
No, the author is not discouraging planning, but rather warning against paralysis by analysis or over-analysis, which can prevent us from taking necessary steps, as illustrated by the importance of diligence and hard work in Proverbs 10:4-5 and the value of planning in Luke 14:28-32.
How does this verse relate to faith and trust in God?
This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, rather than relying solely on our own understanding or waiting for ideal circumstances, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11, where we are called to trust in the Lord's plans and timing.
What is the main message of Ecclesiastes 11:4 for Christians today?
The main message is to avoid getting caught up in excessive caution or analysis, and instead, take steps of faith, trusting that God will guide and provide, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Abraham in Genesis 12:1-9 and the apostle Paul in Acts 16:6-10, who stepped out in faith despite uncertainty.
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life am I 'watching the wind' or waiting for perfect conditions before taking action?
- What are some 'clouds' or uncertainties that I am using as excuses to avoid taking steps of faith?
- How can I balance planning and preparation with taking bold steps of faith, as encouraged in this verse and in Joshua 1:6-9?
- What are some promises of God that I can rely on as I take risks and trust in His provision, such as those found in Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 6:25-34?
Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 11:4
He that observeth the wind shall not sow,.... Who before he sows his seed is careful to observe where the wind is, from what corner it blows, and forbears sowing until it is down or changes, lest it
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 11:4
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
He who neglects or delays the necessary works of sowing and reaping, because the weather is not exactly suitable to his desires, may possibly lose his harvest; whereby he intimates what is easily understood out of the foregoing verses, that men will never do good here, which is expressed by sowing, , and consequently not receive good hereafter, Which is called reaping, ,8, if they be discouraged and hindered from it by every doubt or difficulty, such as covetous worldlings object to themselves, that others either do not want their charity, or with abuse it, that they may possibly need it hereafter.
Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.Ver. 4. He that observeth the wind shall not sow.] In sowing of mercy, he that sticks in such objections and doubts as carnal men use to frame out of their covetous and distrustful hearts, neglects his seedtime, by looking at winds and clouds, which is the guise of a lewd and lazy seedsman. A word in season, saith Solomon, so a charitable deed in season, "how good is it!" He that defers to do good in hope of better times, or fitter objects, or fewer obstacles, or greater abilities, &c., it will be long enough ere he will do anything to purpose. When God sets us up an altar, we must offer a sacrifice; when he affords us an opportunity, we must lay hold on it, and not stand scrupling and casting perils, lest we lose the sowing of much seed, and reaping of much fruit; lest we come with our talent tied up in a napkin, and hear, Thou idle, and therefore evil servant.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
(4) But it is idle to try to guard against all possibilities of failure. To demand a certainty of success before acting would mean not to act at all.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
Verse 4. He that observeth the wind shall not sow] The man that is too scrupulous is never likely to succeed in any thing. If a man neither plough nor sow till the weather is entirely to his mind, the season will in all probability pass before he will have done any thing: so, if thou be too nice in endeavouring to find out who are the impostors among those who profess to be in want, the real object may perish, whom otherwise thou mightest have relieved, and whose life might have been thereby saved. Those very punctilious and scrupulous people, who will sift every thing to the bottom in every case, and, before they will act, must be fully satisfied on all points, seldom do any good, and are themselves generally good for nothing. While they are observing the clouds and the rain, others have joined hands with God, and made a poor man live.
Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 11:4
4. He that observeth the wind shall not sow] This is, as has been said above, the answer to the question suggested in Ecclesiastes 11:3. Our ignorance of the future is not to put a stop to action. If we allowed that “taking thought for the morrow” (Matthew 6:25) to hinder us from doing good, we should be as the husbandman who is always observing the clouds and lets the time of sowing pass by; who when harvest comes, watches the wind as it blows round him, till “the harvest is past, and the summer ended” (Jeremiah 8:20) and he can no longer reap. The very watching for opportunities may end in missing them. There are times when it is our wisdom to “be instant out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:4
4. He that observeth the wind — The advice to liberality and freeheartedness takes now the form of expostulation. In the most simple forms of business some risk must be had.
Sermons on Ecclesiastes 11:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Ecclesiastes by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the book of Ecclesiastes, exploring the wisdom and insights shared by Solomon, highlighting the emptiness of pursuing worldly pleasures and the importance o |
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Don't Wait by J. Stuart Holden | J. Stuart Holden emphasizes the importance of not allowing deterrent influences to hinder our Christian service and commitment. Just as a farmer must sow his seed regardless of unf |
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Early Christians Undergoing Persecution by William MacDonald | William MacDonald emphasizes that early Christians faced persecution with boldness, choosing to glorify God rather than waiting for favorable circumstances. He critiques the tenden |
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Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, Reverend C.H. Spurgeon speaks about the comfort and hope that can be found in God's mercy and grace. He uses the metaphor of a bruised reed and smoking flax to desc |
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Pseudo - Discipleship by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the issue of deception and exaggeration. He emphasizes that both blatant guilt and being deceived are sins before God. The speaker also highli |
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Laziness Brings Poverty by Derek Prince | Derek Prince delves into Proverbs 6:9-11, highlighting the spiritual root cause of poverty as laziness. He emphasizes that poverty and scarcity are not just material conditions but |
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The Sons of God—their Blessings and Their Privileges by J.C. Philpot | The preacher emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence in the Christian life, using the Greek word 'kopiao' to describe intense toil and exertion, even to the point of e |