Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Original Language Analysis
שַׁ֜בְתִּי
I returned
H7725
שַׁ֜בְתִּי
I returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְרָאֹ֣ה
and saw
H7200
וְרָאֹ֣ה
and saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
תַֽחַת
H8478
תַֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
3 of 29
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
under the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
under the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
4 of 29
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא֩
H3808
לֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַקַּלִּ֨ים
is not to the swift
H7031
לַקַּלִּ֨ים
is not to the swift
Strong's:
H7031
Word #:
7 of 29
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
וְלֹ֧א
H3808
וְלֹ֧א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַגִּבּוֹרִ֣ים
to the strong
H1368
לַגִּבּוֹרִ֣ים
to the strong
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
10 of 29
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
nor the battle
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
nor the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
11 of 29
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְ֠גַם
H1571
וְ֠גַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַחֲכָמִ֥ים
to the wise
H2450
לַחֲכָמִ֥ים
to the wise
Strong's:
H2450
Word #:
14 of 29
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
לֶ֙חֶם֙
neither yet bread
H3899
לֶ֙חֶם֙
neither yet bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
15 of 29
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְגַ֨ם
H1571
וְגַ֨ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַנְּבֹנִים֙
to men of understanding
H995
לַנְּבֹנִים֙
to men of understanding
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
18 of 29
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
וְגַ֛ם
H1571
וְגַ֛ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לַיֹּדְעִ֖ים
to men of skill
H3045
לַיֹּדְעִ֖ים
to men of skill
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
22 of 29
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
חֵ֑ן
nor yet favour
H2580
חֵ֑ן
nor yet favour
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
23 of 29
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עֵ֥ת
but time
H6256
עֵ֥ת
but time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
25 of 29
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
יִקְרֶ֥ה
happeneth
H7136
יִקְרֶ֥ה
happeneth
Strong's:
H7136
Word #:
27 of 29
to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:Ecclesiastes 3:17I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.2 Chronicles 20:15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's.Ephesians 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:Deuteronomy 8:18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.Ecclesiastes 4:4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.Ecclesiastes 7:13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?Job 34:29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:Jeremiah 46:6Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
Historical Context
Solomon wrote from the perspective of someone who possessed every advantage—supreme wisdom (1 Kings 3:12), vast wealth (1 Kings 10:23), military strength (1 Kings 4:26), and royal favor. Yet he observed that such advantages don't guarantee outcomes. Ancient warfare provided stark examples: Goliath's size and strength didn't save him from David's sling (1 Samuel 17); Pharaoh's massive army couldn't prevent Israel's escape (Exodus 14). The verse resonates with Joseph's experience: skillful and wise, yet imprisoned unjustly before sudden elevation (Genesis 39-41). Jewish exile demonstrated that national strength didn't prevent conquest. The New Testament echoes this: Jesus chose weak, uneducated disciples to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27); Paul's weakness displayed God's power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Church history confirms the pattern: Christianity triumphed not through military might but through martyrs' blood. The verse teaches that God's providence, not human merit, determines outcomes—preparing readers to trust divine grace rather than personal achievement.
Questions for Reflection
- What natural advantages or personal abilities are you relying on for success rather than depending humbly on God's providence?
- How does this verse comfort you when others with seemingly superior abilities achieve outcomes you cannot, or when your own competence fails to produce expected results?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This famous verse articulates one of Ecclesiastes' most profound observations about divine providence versus human merit. The fivefold negation—'the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill'—systematically dismantles meritocratic assumptions. The Hebrew construction repeats 'lo' (לֹא, not) to emphasize that natural advantages don't guarantee corresponding outcomes. Speed doesn't ensure victory in races; strength doesn't guarantee triumph in battle; wisdom doesn't automatically produce sustenance; understanding doesn't inevitably yield wealth; skill doesn't necessarily result in favor. The reason: 'time and chance happeneth to them all' (et va-pega yiqreh et-kullam, עֵת וָפֶגַע יִקְרֶה אֶת־כֻּלָּם). The phrase 'time and chance' (et va-pega) could be translated 'time and occurrence'—not randomness but unpredictable providence. God sovereignly governs outcomes in ways that transcend human ability or merit. This verse doesn't promote fatalism but humility: success depends ultimately on God, not human capability alone.