Ecclesiastes 11:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be on the earth.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be on the earth.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
Webster's Revision
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
World English Bible
Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don't know what evil will be on the earth.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 11:2 Bible Commentary
Give a portion to seven - Never cease giving while thou seest a person in distress, and hast wherewithal to relieve him.
Thou knowest not what evil - Such may be the change of times, that thou mayest yet stand in need of similar help thyself. Do as thou wouldst be done by.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 11:2 Bible Commentary
The verse means: "Let your hospitality and your alms be extensive: for you know not what reverses may befall either that person who by your liberality will be strengthened to meet them, or yourself who may come to need grateful friends." Compare Luke 16:9.
Seven, and also to eight - A definite number for an indefinite (compare marginal reference).
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 11:2 Bible Commentary
11:2 Give - A part of thy estate or provisions. He alludes to the ancient custom, whereby the master of the feast distributed several parts to each guest, and withal sent portions to the poor. To eight - To as many as thou art able. For - Great calamities may come whereby thou mayest be brought to poverty, and so disabled from doing good.
