Ecclesiastes 11:2
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Original Language Analysis
תֶּן
Give
H5414
תֶּן
Give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְשִׁבְעָ֖ה
to seven
H7651
לְשִׁבְעָ֖ה
to seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
3 of 13
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
וְגַ֣ם
H1571
וְגַ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה
and also to eight
H8083
לִשְׁמוֹנָ֑ה
and also to eight
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
5 of 13
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵדַ֔ע
for thou knowest
H3045
תֵדַ֔ע
for thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יִּהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִּהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Proverbs 6:16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:Psalms 112:9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.Job 5:19He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.Daniel 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.Hebrews 13:3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Ephesians 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Nehemiah 8:10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.Matthew 5:42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.Matthew 18:22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.Luke 17:4And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern economies were vulnerable to localized disasters—drought, warfare, or plague could devastate specific regions while sparing others. Maritime trade spread risk across multiple shipments (thus "cast thy bread upon the waters," 11:1). Agricultural diversification protected against crop failure—planting multiple fields, storing grain in different locations. The wisdom of generosity to multiple people created social capital—those helped in good times might reciprocate during hardship. Jesus's parable of the talents teaches similar diversification through productive stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30). Modern portfolio theory validates this ancient wisdom: diversification reduces risk.
Questions for Reflection
- How diversified are your investments—financial, relational, and spiritual—and what vulnerabilities does concentration create?
- Where is God calling you to greater generosity toward multiple people as both spiritual obedience and practical wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight—the Hebrew ten cheleq le-shiv'ah ve-gam li-shemonah (תֶּן־חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה) uses numerical parallelism (seven...eight) to indicate generosity that goes beyond typical expectations. This idiom appears in wisdom literature (Proverbs 6:16, 30:18) to mean "several" or "many." The counsel: diversify your investments and sharing—don't put all resources in one venture.
For thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth—ki lo teda mah-yihyeh ra'ah al-ha-aretz (כִּי לֹא תֵדַע מַה־יִהְיֶה רָעָה עַל־הָאָרֶץ) acknowledges life's uncertainty. Since the future is unknown and disaster may strike, wisdom counsels both diversification and generosity. Spread risk across multiple ventures; share generously with multiple recipients. When calamity comes (and it will), diversified investments and generous relationships provide resilience. Luke 16:9 echoes this: "Make friends by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you."