Prediker 11:6

6 Zaai uw zaad in den morgenstond, en trek uw hand des avonds niet af; want gij weet niet, wat recht wezen zal, of dit of dat, of dat die beide te zamen goed zijn zullen.

Prediker 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed
Do all good works early and diligently, which is expressed by sowing in righteousness, ( Hosea 10:12 ) ; particularly alms deeds, often signified by sowing seed, ( Psalms 112:9 ) ( 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 ) ; this should be in the morning of youth, that persons may be inured to it betimes as Obadiah was; and in the morning of prosperity, as soon as ever Providence smiles on men, and puts it into the power of their hands, who should honour the Lord with the firstfruits of their increase; and in the evening withhold not thine hand;
from sowing seed, from doing good, particularly acts of charity, in the evening of old age, as Jarchi, like old Barzillai; an age in which men are apt to be more tenacious and covetous, and withhold more than is meet; yea, in the evening of adversity do not leave off doing good as much as can be; but do as the Macedonian churches, whose deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality in a great trial of affliction, ( 2 Corinthians 8:2 ) ; in short, good is to be done at all times, as opportunity offers, throughout the whole of life, and in all conditions and circumstances; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that;
the seed sown in the morning or in the evening, which good work shall best succeed; therefore do both, try all ways, make use of all opportunities; or whether they both [shall be] alike good;
acceptable to God, and useful to men; and if so, a man will have no occasion to repent of what he has done both in youth and old age.

Prediker 11:6 In-Context

4 Wie op den wind acht geeft, die zal niet zaaien, en wie op de wolken ziet, die zal niet maaien.

5 Gelijk gij niet weet, welke de weg des winds zij, of hoedanig de beenderen zijn in den buik van een zwangere vrouw, alzo weet gij het werk Gods niet, Die het alles maakt.

6 Zaai uw zaad in den morgenstond, en trek uw hand des avonds niet af; want gij weet niet, wat recht wezen zal, of dit of dat, of dat die beide te zamen goed zijn zullen.

7 Verder, het licht is zoet, en het is den ogen goed de zon te aanschouwen;

8 Maar indien de mens veel jaren heeft, en verblijdt zich in die allen, zo laat hem ook gedenken aan de dagen der duisternis, want die zullen veel zijn; en al wat zal gekomen is, is ijdelheid.