Ecclesiastes 11:6

Ecclesiastes 11:6 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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 shall be alike good.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.

Free Bible Version FBV

In the morning, sow your seed. In the evening, don't stop. For you have no way of knowing which crop will grow well—one may be profitable, or the other—or maybe both.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

In the morning sowe thy seede, and in the euening let not thine hand rest: for thou knowest not whither shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shalbe a like good.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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.

World English Bible WEB

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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

Start planting your seeds in the morning, and do not stop planting them until the evening, because you do not know which ones will grow better, the ones you plant in the morning or the ones you plant later in the day, or whether both will grow well.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 11:6

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 11:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר֙ זְרַ֣ע אֶת זַרְעֶ֔/ךָ וְ/לָ/עֶ֖רֶב אַל תַּנַּ֣ח יָדֶ֑/ךָ כִּי֩ אֵֽינְ/ךָ֨ יוֹדֵ֜ע אֵ֣י זֶ֤ה יִכְשָׁר֙ הֲ/זֶ֣ה אוֹ זֶ֔ה וְ/אִם שְׁנֵי/הֶ֥ם כְּ/אֶחָ֖ד טוֹבִֽים

בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר֙ bôqer H1242 morning Prep | N-ms

זְרַ֣ע zâraʻ H2232 to sow V-Qal-Impv-2ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

זַרְעֶ֔/ךָ zeraʻ H2233 seed N-ms | Suff

וְ/לָ/עֶ֖רֶב ʻereb H6153 evening Conj | Prep | N-ms

אַל ʼal H408 not Part

תַּנַּ֣ח yânach H3240 to rest V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms

יָדֶ֑/ךָ yâd H3027 hand N-cs | Suff

כִּי֩ kîy H3588 for Conj

אֵֽינְ/ךָ֨ ʼayin H369 nothing Part | Suff

יוֹדֵ֜ע yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal

אֵ֣י ʼay H335 where? Part

זֶ֤ה zeh H2088 this Pron

יִכְשָׁר֙ kâshêr H3787 to succeed V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

הֲ/זֶ֣ה zeh H2088 this Part | Pron

אוֹ ʼôw H176 or Conj

זֶ֔ה zeh H2088 this Pron

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 if Conj | Conj

שְׁנֵי/הֶ֥ם shᵉnayim H8147 two Adj | Suff

כְּ/אֶחָ֖ד ʼechâd H259 one Prep | Adj

טוֹבִֽים ṭôwb H2896 pleasant Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 11:6

בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר֙ bôqer H1242 "morning" Prep | N-ms

The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.

Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning

Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.

זְרַ֣ע zâraʻ H2232 "to sow" V-Qal-Impv-2ms

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.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

זַרְעֶ֔/ךָ zeraʻ H2233 "seed" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.

Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.

וְ/לָ/עֶ֖רֶב ʻereb H6153 "evening" Conj | Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means evening or sunset, like when God created daylight and darkness in Genesis. It refers to the time of day, often marking the end of a workday. This word is used in many verses, including Exodus and Psalms.

Definition: 1) evening, night, sunset 1a) evening, sunset 1b) night

Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night. See also: Genesis 1:5; Numbers 19:19; Psalms 30:6.

אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תַּנַּ֣ח yânach H3240 "to rest" V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms

To rest or settle down, implying a sense of calmness or stillness, as described in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rest, settle down and remain 1a2) to repose, have rest, be quiet 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rest, give rest to, make quiet 1b2) to cause to rest, cause to alight, set down 1b3) to lay or set down, deposit, let lie, place 1b4) to let remain, leave 1b5) to leave, depart from 1b6) to abandon 1b7) to permit 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to obtain rest, be granted rest 1c2) to be left, be placed 1c3) open space (subst)

Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to H5117 (נוּחַ), and the others here.) See also: Genesis 2:15; 1 Kings 13:30; Psalms 17:14.

יָדֶ֑/ךָ yâd H3027 "hand" N-cs | Suff

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

כִּי֩ kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

אֵֽינְ/ךָ֨ ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part | Suff

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

יוֹדֵ֜ע yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.

אֵ֣י ʼay H335 "where?" Part

The Hebrew word for where or how, used to ask questions about location or method, as seen in various Bible translations, including how, what, or which way.

Definition: 1) whereto ?, whence? 2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)

Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: how, what, whence, where, whether, which (way). See also: Genesis 3:9; Job 2:2; Proverbs 31:4.

זֶ֤ה zeh H2088 "this" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.

יִכְשָׁר֙ kâshêr H3787 "to succeed" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To succeed or prosper, meaning to be acceptable or pleasing. It appears in contexts where something is done right or properly. In the Bible, it is used to describe actions that are advantageous or beneficial.

Definition: 1) to succeed, please, be suitable, be proper, be advantageous, be right and proper to 1a) (Qal) to please, be proper 1b) (Hiphil) to give success

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: direct, be right, prosper. See also: Esther 8:5; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Ecclesiastes 11:6.

הֲ/זֶ֣ה zeh H2088 "this" Part | Pron

אוֹ ʼôw H176 "or" Conj

Desire can also mean or, and, or if, showing a choice between options, as seen in Proverbs 31:4. It is used to express alternatives or possibilities.

Definition: 1) or, rather 1a) implying that the latter choice is preferred 1b) or if, introducing an example to be seen under a particular principle 1c) (in series) either...or, whether...or 1d) if perchance 1e) except, or else 2) whether, not the least, if, otherwise, also, and, then

Usage: Occurs in 218 OT verses. KJV: also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether. See also: Genesis 24:49; Leviticus 25:49; Proverbs 30:31.

זֶ֔ה zeh H2088 "this" Pron

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj | Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

שְׁנֵי/הֶ֥ם shᵉnayim H8147 "two" Adj | Suff

The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.

Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)

Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.

כְּ/אֶחָ֖ד ʼechâd H259 "one" Prep | Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.

Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.

טוֹבִֽים ṭôwb H2896 "pleasant" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.

Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.

Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 11:6

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Context
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Ecclesiastes 11:6 Summary
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Context — Cast Your Bread upon the Waters

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.

7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	2 Corinthians 9:10–11	Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.
2	Isaiah 55:10	For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,
3	Haggai 1:6–11	You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”
4	Hosea 10:12	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.
5	2 Corinthians 9:6	Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
6	Zechariah 8:11–12	But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “For the seed will be prosperous, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will yield its produce, and the skies will give their dew. To the remnant of this people I will give all these things as an inheritance.
7	John 4:36–38	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.”
8	1 Corinthians 3:5–7	What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. 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.
9	2 Timothy 4:2	Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
10	Mark 4:26–29	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. And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come. ”

Ecclesiastes 11:6 Summary

[This verse is telling us to keep working hard and trusting in God, even when we're not sure what will happen, because He is in control. It's like planting seeds in a garden - we do our part, but God makes them grow, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. We should keep sowing our seeds, or doing our part, and let God take care of the rest, trusting in His goodness and wisdom, as expressed in Psalm 37:3-7.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'sow your seed in the morning' in Ecclesiastes 11:6?

This phrase is a metaphor for investing your time, energy, and resources in the things that are important to you, just as a farmer sows seeds in the morning to reap a harvest later, as seen in Proverbs 22:29 and Galatians 6:7-8.

Why does the verse say 'do not rest your hands in the evening'?

This means that we should continue to work diligently and not give up, even when the day is ending, because we never know what will succeed or fail, and our efforts may still bear fruit, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24 and 1 Corinthians 15:58.

What does the phrase 'you do not know which will succeed' mean in this context?

It means that we cannot predict with certainty which of our efforts will be successful, so we should diversify and trust in God's sovereignty, just as Solomon notes our limitations in understanding God's ways in Ecclesiastes 11:5 and as Job learned in Job 42:3.

How does this verse relate to trusting in God's plan?

This verse encourages us to trust in God's plan and timing, rather than our own understanding or abilities, because He is the Maker of all things and His ways are not our ways, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-34.

Reflection Questions

What are some 'seeds' that I am sowing in my life, and what kind of harvest can I expect to reap from them?
In what ways can I apply the principle of not giving up and continuing to work diligently, even when I don't see immediate results?
How can I balance my efforts to succeed with the recognition that ultimately, the outcome is in God's hands, and what does this mean for my trust in Him?
What are some areas of my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, rather than my own understanding or abilities?

Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed,.... Do all good works early and diligently, which is expressed by sowing in righteousness, Hosea 10:12; particularly alms deeds, often signified by sowing seed, Psalms

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 11:6

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 shall be alike good.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning, and in the evening; early and late, in all seasons and occasions; do it speedily and continually, be not weary of it. Sow thy seed; do all good works, and especially that of almsgiving, as sowing is understood, . Withhold not thine hand from working or giving. Whether shall prosper; which shall prosper most, as the next clause explains it; the positive degree being put for the comparative, or the superlative, which is not unusual in the Hebrew text. Which shall best answer thine end, or do most good to others, or which shall tend most to the comfort of thy great and last account; for thy morning alms may possibly be given to an unworthy person, or to one who did not need it, and will abuse it, and thy evening alms may fall upon a person of eminent worth, yea, upon an angel in human shape, which is remembered as a motive to hospitality, , or upon one in extreme necessity, who might possibly have perished both in soul and body, if thou hadst not comforted and relieved him: or one time thou mayst give with more sincere intention, and with more tender compassion, than another time, and so one will be more right and more acceptable to God than the other. Alike good; equally successful to the receiver, or to the giver.

Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:6

Ecclesiastes 11:6 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 [shall be] alike good.Ver. 6. In the morning sow thy seed, &c.] At all times be ready to every good work, as the bee is abroad as soon as ever the sun breaks forth. Sow mercy in the morning, sow it likewise in the evening, as those bountiful Macedonians did, to the shame of those richer but harder Corinthians, sending once and again to Paul’ s necessities. Oh, sow much and oft of this unfailable seed into God’ s blessed bosom, the fruit whereof you are sure to reap at your greatest need. Men may be thankful, or they may not, Perraro grati reperiuntur, saith Cicero: it is ten to one if any cured leper turn again to give thanks. But "God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love in ministering to his saints." Haply you may not sow and reap the same day, as the widow of Sarepta did: haply the seed may lie underground some while, and not be quickened except it die; but have patience, nothing so sure as a crop of comfort to those that are duly merciful. Up therefore and be doing, lose no time, slip no season; it is but a morning and an evening, one short day of life wherein we have to work, and to advance your blessedness. Sow therefore continually: blessed is he that "soweth beside all waters." Blessed Bradford held that hour lost wherein he had not done some good with his hand, tongue, or pen. Titus remembering one day that he had done no good to any one, cried out, Amici, diem perdidi. Friends, I have wasted a day. And again, Hodie non regnavimus. Today we were not the master. We have lost a day, &c. This was that Titus that never sent any suitor away with a sad heart, and was therefore counted and called Humani generis deliciae, the darling of mankind, the people’ s sweetheart. The senate loaded him with more praises when he was dead than ever they did living and present. Acts and Mon.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:6

(6) Prosper.—The word is used again in Ecclesiastes 10:10 and Esther 8:5, and belongs to modern Hebrew. (Comp. Galatians 6:7-8.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:6

Verse 6. In the morning sow thy seed] Be ready at all times to show mercy; begin in the morning, continue till the evening. Thou knowest not the most worthy object; it is enough that God knoweth; and if thy motive be good, he will applaud and reward thee; not according to the worthiness or unworthiness of the object of thy charity, but according to the motive which induced thee to relieve him.

Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 11:6

6. In the morning sow thy seed] Once again the enigmatic form, as in Ecclesiastes 11:2, is the touchstone of interpreters. It has been held to mean (1) that men are to seek sensual pleasures not in the morning of their youth only, but in the eventide of age, not to be afraid of begetting children, in or out of wedlock, in any period of their life; or (2) that man is to work, as we say, early and late, doing his appointed task, regardless of the chances of life; or (3) with a more specific application of the same general principle, that he is to sow the seed of good and kindly deeds, and wait for the harvest, the prospect of which is hidden from him. Of these (3) seems every way the truest and most satisfying interpretation. In “withdraw not thy hand,” and in the use of the two demonstrative pronouns (in the Hebrew, however, the same pronoun is repeated, this or this), we have a parallel to the thought and language of ch. Ecclesiastes 7:18. The whole precept is a call to activity in good, not unlike that of Him who said “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is called to day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4); who taught men to labour in the vineyard, even though they were not called to begin their work till the eleventh hour when it was “toward evening, and the day far spent” (Matthew 20:1-16). thou knowest not whether shall prosper] The ignorance of men as to the results of their labour, still more the apparent or the actual failure of their earlier efforts, tempts them too often to despondency and indolence. The maxim, like that of Ecc 11:6, bids them take comfort from that very ignorance. The seed sown in the morning of life may bear its harvest at once, or not till the evening of age. The man may reap at one and the same time the fruits of his earlier and his later sowing, and may find that “both are alike good.”

Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:6

6. Sow thy seed — This precept is an inference. Diligence in labours calculated for good, will be sure of some return, perhaps of very copious returns.

Sermons on Ecclesiastes 11:6

	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
	The Seeds We Are Scattering by J.R. Miller	J.R. Miller emphasizes the profound impact of the seeds we scatter in the lives of others, particularly through the nurturing influence of a mother and the collective contributions
	The Challenge of Every Christian - Part 5 by Alan Redpath	The sermon transcript is focused on the theme of communicating Christ and the challenges faced by Christians in doing so. The speaker emphasizes the need for revival and the love o
	(Through the Bible) 2 Corinthians 9-10 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of spiritual laws established by God within the universe. While the speaker admits to not fully understanding how these laws work,
	Priorities-04 Dan 9 by William MacDonald	The sermon transcript discusses various topics including the value of money, the power of prayer, and the importance of confession and humility. The speaker emphasizes the need for
	Are You Ready to Be Wiser Than the World? by Tim Conway	This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving generously and sacrificially, drawing insights from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. It highlights the principle of sowing and reaping, encour
	Our Daily Homily - 2 Corinthians by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the theme of comfort in affliction as he reflects on 2 Corinthians, highlighting how God comforts us in our tribulations so that we can extend that comfort to