1 Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Cast H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
- thy bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- upon H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- the waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
- for thou shalt find H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- it after many H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
- days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
2 Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- a portion H2506 (חֵלֶק) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
- to seven H7651 (שֶׁבַע) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
- and also to eight H8083 (שְׁמֹנֶה) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
- for thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- not what evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- shall be upon the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If the clouds H5645 (עָב) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
- be full H4390 (מָלֵא) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
- of rain H1653 (גֶּשֶׁם) — a shower
- they empty H7324 (רוּק) — to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty
- upon the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- and if the tree H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
- fall H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- toward the south H1864 (דָּרוֹם) — the south; poet. the south wind
- or toward the north H6828 (צָפוֹן) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
- in the place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
- where the tree H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
- falleth H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- there it shall be H1933 (הָוָא) — to be (in the sense of existence)
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that observeth H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- the wind H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- shall not sow H2232 (זָרַע) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
- and he that regardeth H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the clouds H5645 (עָב) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
- shall not reap H7114 (קָצַר) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- As thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of the spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- how the bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
- in the womb H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
- of her that is with child H4392 (מָלֵא) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
- even so thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- not the works H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- of God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- who maketh H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
6 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.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- In the morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
- sow H2232 (זָרַע) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
- thy seed H2233 (זֶרַע) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
- and in the evening H6153 (עֶרֶב) — dusk
- withhold H3240 (יָנַח) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
- not thine hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- for thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- not whether H335 (אַי) — where? hence how?
- shall prosper H3787 (כָּשֵׁר) — by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper
- either this or that, or whether they both H8147 (שְׁנַיִם) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
- alike H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — 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 or good t…
7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Truly the light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
- sweet H4966 (מָתוֹק) — sweet
- and a pleasant H2896 (טוֹב) — 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 or good t…
- for the eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- to behold H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
8 Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- But if a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- rejoice H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
- in them all; yet let him remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
- the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
- for they shall be many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- All that cometh H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Rejoice H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
- O young man H970 (בָּחוּר) — properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective)
- in thy youth H3208 (יַלְדוּת) — boyhood (or girlhood)
- and let thy heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- cheer H2895 (טוֹב) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
- thee in the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of thy youth H979 (בְּחֻרוֹת) — youth (collectively and abstractly)
- and walk H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- in the ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- and in the sight H4758 (מַרְאֶה) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental…
- of thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- but know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- will bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- thee into judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Therefore remove H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
- sorrow H3708 (כַּעַס) — vexation
- from thy heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- and put away H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- from thy flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- for childhood H3208 (יַלְדוּת) — boyhood (or girlhood)
- and youth H7839 (שַׁחֲרוּת) — a dawning, i.e. (figuratively) juvenescence
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb