Ecclesiastes 11:7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
Original Language Analysis
הָא֑וֹר
Truly the light
H216
הָא֑וֹר
Truly the light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
2 of 7
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וְט֥וֹב
and a pleasant
H2896
וְט֥וֹב
and a pleasant
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
3 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
לַֽעֵינַ֖יִם
thing it is for the eyes
H5869
לַֽעֵינַ֖יִם
thing it is for the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לִרְא֥וֹת
to behold
H7200
לִרְא֥וֹת
to behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:11Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.Proverbs 15:30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.Matthew 5:45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Job 33:30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.Proverbs 29:13The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.Psalms 56:13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?Job 33:28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.Ecclesiastes 6:5Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures celebrated sunlight as life-giving—solar deities were prominent in Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Canaanite religions. However, Israel's monotheism recognized the sun as created by YHWH, not as deity itself (Genesis 1:16; Psalm 74:16). The sun regulated agricultural cycles, marked time (Psalm 104:19), and symbolized God's faithful provision (Psalm 84:11). For people living before electric lighting, darkness meant cessation of productive activity and vulnerability to danger—sunlight enabled life and work. This verse's simple affirmation resonated with daily experience: each sunrise brought renewed opportunity for life and labor.
Questions for Reflection
- How often do you pause to appreciate the simple gift of being alive and conscious—'beholding the sun'?
- In what ways does recognizing life itself as God's sweet gift reshape your perspective on daily frustrations?
Analysis & Commentary
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun—the Hebrew matok (מָתוֹק, sweet) typically describes taste but here applies metaphorically to light, creating synesthetic imagery. The sun's light represents life itself, consciousness, and the goodness of existence. The phrase tov (טוֹב, pleasant/good) for the eyes echoes creation's refrain: 'God saw the light, that it was good' (Genesis 1:4). This verse affirms life's inherent goodness as God's gift, contrasting with the book's repeated observations about life's frustrations.
Following chapter 11's call to diligent labor (v. 6) and joyful living (vv. 9-10), this verse celebrates conscious existence itself. The simple pleasure of seeing sunlight—being alive to experience creation—is God's gift worth enjoying. This anticipates verses 9-10's exhortation to rejoice in youth. The verse provides theological foundation for enjoying life: creation is fundamentally good despite the fall's effects. Jesus called Himself 'the light of the world' (John 8:12), and believers will experience eternal light in the new creation where 'the Lord God giveth them light' (Revelation 22:5).